Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean that plays a crucial role in regulating climate. It involves warm surface waters flowing north, cooling and sinking in the North Atlantic, and then returning south as cold, deep water. This process helps distribute heat around the planet, impacting weather patterns in Europe and North America. Changes in AMOC can affect sea levels and climate, making it an important element of Earth’s climate system, particularly in the context of climate change.