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Subsurface marine heatwaves (SubMHWs) pose significant risks to marine ecosystems and biogeochemical processes. While the available satellite data on sea surface temperature have facilitated the understanding of surface marine heatwaves, SubMHWs remain understudied, primarily due to sparse subsurface observations and inconsistent definitions across disciplines. However, there is growing evidence that SubMHWs can develop and persist independently of surface thermal conditions and thus require further investigation to disentangle their drivers, dynamics and widespread impacts. Here, we propose a SCOR Working Group that will address these challenges by unifying fragmented research efforts and establishing standardized protocols to define and analyze SubMHWs. The primary objective of the working group is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among the oceanographic and Earth system science communities, focusing on six core tasks: (1) proposing standardized detection criteria, (2) compiling a centralized repository of SubMHW data and literature, (3) reviewing the physical drivers of SubMHWs, (4) their projected evolution in the context of climate change, (5) their environmental and socioeconomic impacts and finally (6) promoting cross-basin coordination and capacity building. By integrating diverse perspectives and expertise, this initiative aims to advance understanding and predictability of SubMHWs in a warming ocean, providing a foundation for improved risk assessments and adaptation strategies of impacted regions, using globally accessible platforms.

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