A crucial system of ocean currents may already be on course to collapse, according to a new report, with alarming implications for sea level rise and global weather — leading temperatures to plunge dramatically in some regions and rise in others.
Using exceptionally complex and expensive computing systems, scientists found a new way to detect an early warning signal for the collapse of these currents, according to the study published Friday in the journal Science Advances. And as the planet warms, there are already indications it is heading in this direction.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (the AMOC) — of which the Gulf Stream is part — works like a giant global conveyor belt, taking warm water from the tropics toward the far North Atlantic, where the water cools, becomes saltier and sinks deep into the ocean, before spreading southward.
The currents carry heat and nutrients to different areas of the globe and play a vital role in keeping the climate of large parts of the Northern Hemisphere relatively mild.
Lets just hope its a data anomaly. Kind of too late to prep for something that major.
I’ll spoil it for you folks, we’re going to ignore this warning like the rest of them.
You know the right will take that one study that suggests AMOC “might” collapse within the next 2 or 3 years, and scream that we were predicting the collapse!!! if it doesn’t happen exactly on that timeline.
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A crucial system of ocean currents may already be on course to collapse, according to a new report, with alarming implications for sea level rise and global weather — leading temperatures to plunge dramatically in some regions and rise in others.
Using exceptionally complex and expensive computing systems, scientists found a new way to detect an early warning signal for the collapse of these currents, according to the study published Friday in the journal Science Advances. And as the planet warms, there are already indications it is heading in this direction.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (the AMOC) — of which the Gulf Stream is part — works like a giant global conveyor belt, taking warm water from the tropics toward the far North Atlantic, where the water cools, becomes saltier and sinks deep into the ocean, before spreading southward.
The currents carry heat and nutrients to different areas of the globe and play a vital role in keeping the climate of large parts of the Northern Hemisphere relatively mild.
For decades, scientists have been sounding the alarm on the circulation’s stability as climate change warms the ocean and melts ice, disrupting the balance of heat and salt that determines the currents’ strength. [Read more](https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/09/climate/atlantic-circulation-collapse-weather-climate/index.html)
Lets just hope its a data anomaly. Kind of too late to prep for something that major.
I’ll spoil it for you folks, we’re going to ignore this warning like the rest of them.
You know the right will take that one study that suggests AMOC “might” collapse within the next 2 or 3 years, and scream that we were predicting the collapse!!! if it doesn’t happen exactly on that timeline.
I hope that one study is way off.