Why in the News
Scientists have warned that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major Atlantic Ocean current system, could weaken drastically by 2100 due to climate change, potentially affecting global climate and the Indian monsoon.
What is AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation)?
- A large system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean often described as a global ocean conveyor belt
How AMOC Works
- Warm, salty surface water flows northward from the tropics
- Near the Arctic, water cools and becomes denser
- Dense water sinks deep into the ocean
- Cold deep water then flows southward
Importance of AMOC
- Maintains relatively mild climate in Europe
- Influences:
- Rainfall patterns
- Monsoons
- Global temperature distribution
- Marine ecosystems
Connection with El Niño
- El Niño
- Periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters
- Influences global weather patterns
- A weaker AMOC may: Make El Niño events more extreme and unpredictable
| [2020] With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct? 1.OMT is measured up to a depth of 26ºC isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January-March. 2.OMT collected during January-March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean. Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
