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Nature 438, 565-566 (1 December 2005) | doi:10.1038/438565a; Published online 30 November 2005
Oceanography: The Atlantic heat conveyor slows
Detlef Quadfasel1
Abstract
Computer simulations predict that global warming will weaken the ocean circulation that transports heat from the tropics to higher latitudes in the North Atlantic. Such an effect has now been detected.
The Sun heats the tropics much more than the polar regions, but the resulting extremes of temperature are moderated by compensating heat circulation in the atmosphere and the ocean. Most notably, warm upper waters intrude far into the northern North Atlantic and contribute to the mild European climate.
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