September 01, 2023
According to a new study, the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), of which the Gulf Stream is a part, could occur within this century or as soon as 2025. AMOC is an important ocean current system that circulates water in the Atlantic Ocean from north to south and back in a cycle, playing an important role in governing weather patterns around the world. The currents function similarly to a huge global conveyor belt and are influenced by the ocean water’s density due to its salt content and temperature differences. However, pollution and climate change have caused the oceans to warm up and ice to melt, which in turn has caused the AMOC to become unstable. AMOC’s instability could cause severe climate change in the USA and Europe and could impact the pattern of rainfall in tropical regions.
Did You Know?
The Gulf Stream is a warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico. The average speed of the Gulf Stream is around 6.4kms per hour.
ACTIVITY: Circulatory Systems
List the 5 major ocean currents in the world.
