In South Korea, lack of typhoons heightens risks for the sea — Korea Herald

Since the beginning of the year, no typhoon has made landfall in South Korea, although several have indirectly affected the country. This pause is causing concern due to warming seawater, declining oxygen levels at depth, risks to aquaculture and the likelihood of more intense storms in the future, Korea Herald reports.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Typhoon Chanmi passed near the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in June but did not reach land. In August, Typhoon Dolphin, which formed far east of Guam, moved across the Pacific Ocean toward Shanghai rather than turning north toward the Korean Peninsula.

Powerful anticyclones are changing trajectories

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology reported that over the past three years, an average of 2.33 typhoons per year passed within 200 nautical miles of the country’s coast. This is 28.6% below the long-term average.

The institute attributes the decline in the number of typhoons near Korea to the earlier and stronger-than-usual expansion of the North Pacific and Tibetan anticyclones. They formed a powerful high-pressure zone around the peninsula that steered typhoons around the country.

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Warmer water and aquaculture losses

Experts note that typhoons mix warm surface waters with cooler deep waters, lowering surface temperatures and carrying oxygen into lower layers of the sea. Without such mixing, oxygen reserves at depth are not replenished, while decomposition processes continue to consume it.

In South Gyeongsang Province, about 7.73 million fish and 1.09 million abalones died along the southern coast this year. Local authorities estimated the losses at 25.2 billion won, or $18.6 million.

Scientists also warn that fewer typhoons may leave more heat in the ocean, providing energy for subsequent storms. A study by Kumoh National Institute of Technology found that if global temperatures rise by 4 degrees Celsius compared with the current level, typhoons affecting Korea could become 36% less frequent, while the number of especially intense ones could increase by 27%.

Reduced typhoon activity is accompanied by a rainfall deficit. From March 2 to September 1, the country received 832.8 mm of precipitation, or 84.8% of the long-term norm of 979.2 mm. Meteorological drought was recorded in 34 cities and counties.