Atlantic Ocean Current at High Risk of Collapse, Scientists Warn
A new scientific consensus is emerging that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a key system of currents that includes the Gulf Stream, is significantly more likely to collapse than previously estimated. This critical component of the global climate system, which is responsible for transporting warm water northward and moderating Europe's climate, is now at its weakest point in 1,600 years due to climate change. Buoy measurements from around the Atlantic provide the strongest evidence yet of a steady and widespread weakening at multiple latitudes, indicating the system may be approaching a dangerous tipping point. Researchers warn that a full collapse of the AMOC would have catastrophic and far-reaching consequences. It would drastically alter global weather patterns, shifting the tropical rainfall belt that millions depend on for agriculture and plunging Western Europe into extreme cold winters coupled with severe summer droughts. Furthermore, such an event would add 50-100cm to sea level rise around the Atlantic basin and cause dramatic regional temperature shifts, including cooling the Arctic by up to 7°C and warming Antarctica by up to 6°C. Perhaps most alarmingly, a collapse could trigger a devastating feedback loop that would further accelerate global warming. Scientists indicate that the slowing circulation, caused by meltwater from Greenland and other warming-related factors, could release billions of tonnes of stored carbon from the deep Southern Ocean into the atmosphere. This would effectively amplify the very climate crisis that caused the AMOC's decline in the first place, creating a perilous cycle with profound implications for the entire planet.
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Sources
Collapse of key ocean current may release billions of tonnes of carbon | New Scientist
Global warming caused by humanity’s carbon emissions has been slowing the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a system of currents including the Gulf Stream that warms Europe. If the AMOC collapsed entirely, it could release massive amounts of carbon from the deep Southern ...
Scientists sound alarm as Atlantic current system much more likely to collapse than thought – The Irish Times
The Amoc is a major part of the ... return current. A collapse would shift the tropical rainfall belt on which many millions of people rely to grow their food, plunge western Europe into extreme cold winters and summer droughts, and add 50-100cm to already rising sea levels around the Atlantic...
The Gulf Stream is on the verge of COLLAPSING: Scientists predict a 50% weakening by the end of this century - with devastating consequences | Daily Mail Online
The Gulf Stream may be on the verge of collapsing as a key ocean current weakens, scientists have warned. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a vast network of ocean currents which drives warm water northwards through the Gulf Stream.
Atlantic current shows steady decline, with scientists warning collapse could amplify global warming and disrupt climate systems
Scientists warn the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is steadily weakening and may be nearing a tipping point, risking a collapse that could disrupt global climate, cool the Arctic by up to 7°C, warm Antarctica by up to 6°C and release vast amounts of CO₂, amplifying global warming.
AMOC: Key ocean current is slowing at locations around the Atlantic | New Scientist
Buoy measurements show the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which moderates Europe’s climate, is weakening at four different latitudes, the strongest evidence so far that this system of ocean currents is slowing and could be heading toward collapse.
Global warming caused by human carbon emissions slows the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a system of currents including the Gulf Stream that warms Europe. If the AMOC were to collapse completely, it could release huge amounts of carbon from the deep Southern Ocean into ...
Extreme winters and summer droughts as Atlantic current system collapse more likely
The critical Atlantic current system appears significantly more likely to collapse than previously thought after new research found that climate models predicting the biggest slowdown are the most realistic.
Critical Atlantic current significantly more likely to collapse than thought | Oceans | The Guardian
The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is a major part of the global climate system and was already known to be at its weakest for 1,600 years as a result of the climate crisis. Scientists spotted warning signs of a tipping point in 2021 and know that the Amoc has collapsed ...
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