Scientific researchers have discovered a long-standing error in ocean temperature measurements, leading to a realization that the world's seas are warming and rising at a faster rate than previously believed. The team of international scientists, publishing their findings in the journal Nature on Thursday, analyzed millions of ship-based measurements dating back to 1950, with a focus on data from 1960. They identified a mistake in data collected from a common probe known as an XBT. By rectifying this error and applying a sophisticated statistical analysis to sea temperature data, the team calculated a new global estimate of ocean warming in the top layers down to 700 meters (2,300 feet) and the speed at which oceans are rising. Catia Domingues, a member of the team from the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, stated, "We show that the rate of ocean warming from 1961 to 2003 is about 50 percent larger than previously reported." Another author of the report, John Church, expressed skepticism about historical data not aligning with results from climate and oceanic computer models. "We have adjusted the observations, leading to better agreement between the models and observations," stated Church, a senior research scientist at the climate center. By comparing numerous XBT observations with research ship data in a statistical manner, it is possible to estimate the errors associated with XBTs. This is important because the oceans hold over 90 percent of the heat in the Earth's climate system and can help mitigate the impacts of climate change, according to Domingues. Warmer water expands, contributing to rising sea levels, along with runoff from melting glaciers and ice sheets. Church's team estimated a global average surface warming of 0.4 degrees Celsius between 1961 and 2003, with an average sea level rise of 1.6 millimeters per year during that time period. Church stated that sea levels have been increasing by more than 3 mm annually since 1993 due to the increased consumption of fossil fuels. XBTs, previously used by commercial vessels to measure temperature as they sank in the ocean, have now been mostly replaced by satellites and permanent probes. Church mentioned that inaccuracies in depth calculations due to the speed at which the instrument falls through the water column can lead to errors in temperature readings. To address this issue, Susan Wijffels and other researchers developed a mathematical formula to correct the errors. Combined with a broader statistical analysis of global ocean temperature data, a clearer picture emerged that aligned more closely with widely used computer models predicting the behavior of the climate and oceans due to global warming. According to Church, this new data shows a more consistent rate of warming and an increasing trend in that warming, bolstering confidence in future projections. Additionally, observations suggested that actual sea level rise was on track to exceed previous projections. The U.N. Climate Panel's most recent global assessment predicted sea levels could increase by as much as 80 cm by the end of the century unless carbon dioxide levels are controlled.