@article{fdi:010097113,
  title = {{C}haracterisation of past marine heatwaves around {S}outh {P}acific {I}sland countries : what really matters ?},
  author = {{L}al, {S}hilpa and {C}ravatte, {S}ophie and {M}enk{\`e}s, {C}hristophe and {M}acdonald, {J}. and {L}e {G}endre, {R}. and {M}angolte, {I}nes and {D}utheil, {C}yril and {H}olbrook, {N}. and {N}icol, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}arine heatwaves ({MHW}s) can have devastating and lasting impacts on marine ecosystems. {W}e investigated past {MHW} characteristics around 12 southwestern {P}acific {I}sland countries and territories ({PICT}s) using two observed sea surface temperature products and an ocean reanalysis product. {PICT}s are highly dependent on their marine resources for their livelihoods: a better understanding of {MHW} characteristics is needed for planning and adaptation to risks associated with {MHW}s. {O}ur research builds on previous studies where {MHW}s have been detected and described using a point-based definition. {W}e first revisit past {MHW} characteristics based on their spatial extent, vertical extent and seasonality. {W}e show that filtering {MHW}s by size (spatial extent) and seasonality can greatly affect their characterisation and help trace their physical drivers. {W}e then characterise past events inside each {E}xclusive {E}conomic {Z}one ({EEZ}) and at the coast with {MHW} indices tailored to benefit {P}acific {I}sland stakeholders. {W}e consider two types of events: large-scale events, covering a large part of the {EEZ}, likely to affect pelagic fisheries, and events affecting coastal zones and ecosystems. {W}e distinguish between events occurring in the hot season ({N}ovember to {A}pril), and in the cold season ({M}ay to {O}ctober). {W}e show that all 12 {PICT}s experienced {MHW}s in the past 30 years that are getting more frequent with greater spatial extents, longer durations, explained by the long-term warming trend in sea surface temperature, but with lower maximum intensity. {N}ew {C}aledonia, {V}anuatu, {F}iji and {T}onga appear to be more exposed to {MHW}s with longer duration, higher maximum intensity, and deeper extent compared to other countries.},
  keywords = {{AUSTRALIE} ; {PAPOUASIE} {NOUVELLE} {GUINEE} ; {SALOMON} ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE} ; {VANUATU} ; {TUVALU} ; {FIDJI} ; {WALLIS} {ET} {FUTUNA} ; {TONGA} ; {TOKELAOU} ; {SAMOA} {OCCIDENTALES} ; {COOK} ; {PACIFIQUE} {ILES} ; {AMERICAN} {SAMOA}, {NIUE} ; {PACIFIQUE} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{O}cean {S}cience},
  volume = {22},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {1023--1049},
  ISSN = {1812-0784},
  year = {2026},
  DOI = {10.5194/os-22-1023-2026},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010097113},
}