What is meant by Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC)? Discuss the role Indian Ocean in maintaining the stability of AMOC and its influence on global climate. (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
· In the Atlantic operates a large system of ocean currents, circulating the waters between the north and the south. Called Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current, or AMOC, it ensures the oceans are continually mixed, and heat and energy are distributed around Earth.
· Now a new study suggests that AMOC is getting help from the Indian Ocean. Warming as a result of climate change, the Indian Ocean is causing a series of cascading effects that is providing AMOC a jump start.
Working of AMOC
· As warm water flows northwards in the Atlantic, it cools, while evaporation increases its salt content. Low temperature and a high salt content raise the density of the water, causing it to sink deep into the ocean.
· The cold, dense water deep below slowly spreads southward. Eventually, it gets pulled back to the surface and warms again, and the circulation is complete.
Influence on global climate
· This continual mixing of the oceans, and distribution of heat and energy around the planet, contribute to global climate.
· AMOC had weakened substantially 17,000 to 15,000 years ago, and it had global impacts.
· This can result in the reduction of meltwater flux in the northern North Atlantic-associated with the remarkable sea-ice retreat causes more reduction of meltwater.
Indian Ocean’s role
· Using observed data and computer modelling, they have plotted out what effect such shifts might have over time. In this study, they looked at warming in the Indian Ocean.
· As the Indian Ocean warms faster and faster, it generates additional precipitation. This draws more air from other parts of the world to the Indian Ocean, including the Atlantic.
· With so much precipitation in the Indian Ocean, there will be less precipitation in the Atlantic Ocean. Less precipitation will lead to higher salinity in the waters of the tropical portion of the Atlantic because there won’t be as much rainwater to dilute it.
· This saltier water in the Atlantic, as it comes north via AMOC, will get cold much quicker than usual and sink faster.
· This would act as a jump start for AMOC, intensifying the circulation.
Anu 5 years
Kindly review. Thank you.
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good answer. Keep Writing.
Jefy 5 years
Kindly review and could you let me know if illustration would be encouraged or not ?
Thank you !
IAS Parliament 5 years
Try to stick to word limit, use maps to reduce the number of words written. Try to include about influence on global climate. Keep Writing.
Alok Dwivedi 5 years
For review!
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good answer. Try to include rough map drawing if possible. Keep Writing.
Thenmozhi Vijayan 5 years
Kindly review it..Thank you
IAS Parliament 5 years
Try to include about influence on global climate. Keep Writing.
Loading Comments