Final answer:
While high ocean temperatures can lead to more intense hurricanes, sea level rise, and more atmospheric moisture, they do not directly cause prolonged droughts, which are complex events influenced by various factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
High temperatures in the ocean can cause several environmental impacts, including the following:
- Hurricanes: Warmer ocean temperatures can lead to more energetic and potentially more destructive hurricanes.
- An increase in sea levels: As global temperatures rise, glaciers and ice caps melt, adding more water to the oceans. Additionally, water expands as it warms, contributing to rising sea levels.
- More water molecules in the atmosphere: Increased evaporation due to higher sea temperatures adds more moisture to the atmosphere, which can lead to more intense precipitation events.
However, one consequence that is not directly caused by high ocean temperatures is prolonged drought. Droughts are complex phenomena that involve many factors, such as long-term patterns of precipitation and atmospheric circulation. While changes in sea temperature can influence weather patterns, they do not directly cause droughts to occur or persist.