The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a system of currents which helps to regulate temperatures around the world.
It carries warm water north from the tropics in the Atlantic – and any change to the way it works could radically alter temperatures around the world.
AMOC hit the headlines this week as a study predicted that an abrupt ‘tipping point’ could happen relatively rapidly (which has not happened for 10,000 years).
It could have devastating effects on the climate around the world, with a rapid drop in temperatures predicted in Europe in particular.
What is AMOC?
AMOC is a system of currents which works like a conveyor belt, carrying warm water from the tropics northwards.
There, colder, dense water sinks into the deep ocean and spreads slowly south.
The cycle is hugely important in maintaining global temperatures and also modulates the impact of man-made global warming.
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