8 Comments
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Yasmin Chopin's avatar

I like this change of perspective. Thank you for the information and point of view.

Pedro Lourenco's avatar

I had seen the Spilhaus map before, but never quite considered that image of the North Sea with two outstretched arms. But why is the Baltic losing water? Something to do with the freshwater inputs?

Hannah Booth's avatar

Yes, the headline about the Baltic also caught me when I first saw it last week.

Apparently strong easterly winds since the beginning of the year have been pushing water from the Baltic into the North Sea. The last time it was so low was in 1980. If those winds are replaced by sustained westerlies, then there could be an inflow. More here: https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2026/02/06/record-low-sea-levels-in-the-baltic-sea-will-there-be-a-major-inflow-of-saltwater-from-the-north-sea

Pedro Lourenco's avatar

Ah, like that. That's a Baltic thing, I think. I know the mudflats in Poland often have wind related cycles instead of tidal cycles.

Yasmin Chopin's avatar

I’d also like to know the answer to Pedro’s question. 😊

Hannah Booth's avatar

Yes, it's such an intriguing headline, isn't it?! See reply above...

John-Paul Stonard's avatar

The inside / outside of ocean shapes is so very interesting, sleeves and arms. Thank you.

Hannah Booth's avatar

Thanks for reading, John-Paul!