Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Atlantic Current Collapse Risk Now Elevated, Study Confirms

Recent research indicates that the collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (Amoc) is no longer a low-likelihood event, potentially occurring within decades. The study analyzed climate models extending to the years 2300 and 2500, revealing that under high-emission scenarios, Amoc collapse occurred in 70% of the models. Even with low emissions, a shutdown was still seen in 25% of the models, underscoring the urgency of reducing fossil fuel emissions. The researchers found that the tipping point where an Amoc shutdown becomes inevitable is likely to be passed in the next 10 to 20 years.

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Critical Atlantic Ocean current system is showing early signs of collapse, prompting warning from scientists | CNN

As I read the headline about the critical Atlantic Ocean current system showing early signs of collapse, my heart sank. This is not the first time we have heard about the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), but it still hits hard. The study’s findings that the AMOC is weaker than ever before in the past 1,000 years is alarming, to say the least. It’s a wake-up call that we should have heeded long ago.

The consequences of the AMOC collapse are dire, especially for Europe. Without this critical ocean current, the region will experience a drastic drop in temperatures.… Continue reading