AMOC
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Environmental
| Stands for | Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
AMOC stands for Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, an environmental abbreviation.
System of ocean currents, including the Gulf Stream, that carries warm surface water northward in the Atlantic and returns cold, deep water southward. It moves enormous amounts of heat and helps keep northwestern Europe milder than other regions at similar latitudes.
Example: A new study suggests the AMOC has weakened since the mid-20th century, though measurement records are short.
Usage notes
The IPCC considers it very likely that the AMOC will weaken this century but assesses with medium confidence that it will not collapse abruptly before 2100; some studies warn of a tipping point sooner. A shutdown would cool Europe, shift tropical rain belts and raise sea levels on the US East Coast. The 2004 film The Day After Tomorrow dramatized an extreme version.
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