Computer simulations show nightmare Atlantic current shutdown less likely this century
Associated PressThe nightmare scenario of Atlantic Ocean currents collapsing, with weather running amok and putting Europe in a deep freeze, looks unlikely this century, a new study concludes. A possible climate change -triggered shutdown of what’s called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation or AMOC could play havoc with global rain patterns, dramatically cool Europe while warming the rest of the world and goose sea levels on America’s East Coast, scientists predict. Scientists at the United Kingdom’s Met Office and the University of Exeter used simulations from 34 different computer models of extreme climate change scenarios to see if the AMOC would collapse this century, according to a study in Wednesday’s journal Nature. “The AMOC is very likely to weaken this century and that brings its own major climate impacts.” The Atlantic current flows because warm water cools as it reaches the Arctic, forming sea ice. Those Southern Ocean winds pulling the deep water up act “like a powerful pump keeps the AMOC running even in the extreme climate change scenarios,” Baker said.
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