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Gulf Stream is weakest it's been in 1,000 years

By T.K. Randall
February 26, 2021 · Comment icon 34 comments

Things could soon be getting a lot colder. Image Credit: sxc.hu
Scientists believe that a slowdown in ocean currents could bring about colder and more extreme weather.
It might not be as bad as in the movie 'The Day After Tomorrow', but without the Gulf Stream to carry warm water up towards the United Kingdom and Europe, things will definitely get a lot colder.

Recent research has indicated that global warming has taken its toll on the AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) - the system of ocean currents of which the Gulf Stream is a part.

The Gulf Stream itself was relatively stable until around the 1850s when it started to decline and now it is the weakest it has been at any point over the last 1,000 years.

According to an international group of scientists from Ireland, Germany and the UK, this could bring about "more extreme and intense winter weather events in Europe" as well as major flooding along the east coast of the United States.
If it were to disappear entirely, temperatures in the region would permanently plummet by 5C.

"A major mechanism for heat redistribution and crucial to the world's climate, an abrupt slowdown of the AMOC could trigger disruptions around the globe - including a sudden rise in regional sea levels, changes in the position of major rainfall and arid climate zones," the researchers wrote.

With the way things are going, the Gulf Stream could weaken by another 45% before the century is out - leading to a potential "tipping point" at which the flow would become unstable.

If that happens, it is likely that the world will be a very different place for future generations.

Source: Sky News | Comments (34)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #25 Posted by keithisco 4 years ago
One thing is for sure...it wasnt anything to do with human influence
Comment icon #26 Posted by Jon the frog 4 years ago
Having a second choice is better than having none... chosing carefully is a must tho.
Comment icon #27 Posted by Tatetopa 4 years ago
He must be busy. The gulf stream has been important to Atlantic navigation since people have been sailing and rowing through open water.   My ancestors were exploring and discovering new lands 1000 years ago. They were aware of currents, fish, whales, marine mammals  and bird populations that they depended on.  They may not have called it the Gulf Stream,  but they were not stupid.    They knew when subsistence became more difficult on the Faroes, and Shetland. It was changing climate that finally destroyed the grass and dairy industry on Greenland and contributed to the failure of the... [More]
Comment icon #28 Posted by joc 4 years ago
I'm really looking forward to seeing the chart showing the speed of current for every year since 1121.  That will be super awesome!
Comment icon #29 Posted by joc 4 years ago
    So, I read the article...and much to my dismay...no mention of Manmade Global Warming.   So, I will say, okay...I just figured since the Climate Hawks politicize everything else that they were behind this as well.  It was interesting to note that the article said that ancient climate change had affected the currents as well. There you go.  No need for Chuck to come after all.  Besides he would just say....You are commenting about an article you didn't even read!  
Comment icon #30 Posted by Tatetopa 4 years ago
Get serious.  . People that study maritime records  are going to get relative  data and measurements developed at the time.    That may never be good enough for you.  Do your job, feed your family, don't worry about it.  It won't affect your life.  
Comment icon #31 Posted by keithisco 4 years ago
Relates toa very specific area. It does not relate to a Global System
Comment icon #32 Posted by Buzz_Light_Year 4 years ago
The video states that the stalagmite ring findings are corroborated by ice core samples.
Comment icon #33 Posted by keithisco 4 years ago
Would not the stalagmite rings need to taken in proximity to the ice-core (or do you mean mud-core) samples to be verifiable? Does any of this relate to man-made Global Warming affecting the Gulf Stream Just asking. 
Comment icon #34 Posted by Buzz_Light_Year 4 years ago
The video says that the rings in the stalagmites correspond to climate changes that are seen in ice core samples. Man-made global warming? Well let's see 5 climate changes in 80,000 years or an average of 1 every 16,000 years. Seems to me that other mechanisms are at work here. If you have issues with the information in the video then I suggest you contact National Geographic.


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