The Blob (Pacific Ocean) the surface waters of the mid-latitude Pacific Ocean flipping from a cold phase to a warm phase in a cycle known as the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). This poorly-understood change happens at irregular intervals of years or decades. During a warm phase, the west Pacific becomes cooler and part of the eastern ocean warms; during the cool phase, these changes reverse. Scientists believe a cold phase started in the late 1990s and the arrival of the Blob may be the start of the next warm phase. The PDO phases may also be related to the likelihood of El Nino events.
Pacific Marine Ecozone (CEC) coast, so there is little oceanic water exchanged between the Arctic and Pacific ecozones. The moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean results in a nearly constant year-round temperature in this ecozone. The Alaska Peninsula also inhibits the flow of cold Arctic currents from entering this zone, ensuring that throughout its extent, there is little variation in temperature. In fact, there is little exchange of oceanic waters between the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. Ice forms here infrequently, and only in its northern areas in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. Pacific Marine Ecozone (CEC) The Pacific Marine