Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
Definition
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean that carries warm, salty water northward near the surface and returns cold, dense water southward at depth.
Commonly known as the ocean's 'conveyor belt,' the AMOC plays a vital role in global climate regulation by transporting heat from the tropics to higher latitudes, influencing weather patterns in Europe and beyond.
A key component of Earth's thermohaline circulation, the AMOC is under scrutiny due to potential weakening from climate change, which could lead to dramatic shifts in regional climates.
Examples
If the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation grinds to a halt, Londoners might trade their umbrellas for parkas year-round.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation acts like the ocean's FedEx, delivering tropical heat to Europe—though delivery delays are increasingly likely.
Climate scientists track the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation more closely than stock traders watch the Dow during a dip.
Without the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, the Gulf Stream's warm hugs to northwest Europe would turn into chilly ghosting.