Gulf Stream changes could cool Europe

Author: Water Well
Date Published: 2005-09-05

A possible outcome of global warming could be a significant cooling of Britain and northern Europe.

Scientists have revealed more evidence that changes are occurring in the Gulf Stream, the powerful ocean current that warms the western European climate.

Without the influence of the Gulf Stream and its two northern branches, the North Atlantic Drift and the Canary Current, the weather in Britain would be more like that of Siberia, which is on the same latitude (30 15 S).

Historically, large columns of cold, dense water in the Greenland Sea, known as "chimneys," sink from the surface of the ocean to about 2 743.2 meters below to the seabed. As that water sinks, it interacts with the warm Gulf Stream current flowing from the south.

Scientists report the number of these "chimneys" has dropped from about a dozen to just two. That is causing a weakening of the Gulf Stream, which could mean less heat reaching northern parts of Europe. The activity in the Greenland Sea is part of a global pattern of ocean movement, known as thermohaline circulation, or more commonly the "global conveyor belt."

Scientists are getting other information about the disappearing ice cap from Alaskan Inuits. They report changes in where and when certain species of fish have been found, and in populations of seals and polar bears.

Other oceanographers stress that Wadhams' findings are one piece of a very complex earthly puzzle.

Terrence Joyce, senior scientist in the department of physical oceanography at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, says it's important not to get alarmist, but instead to keep up a wide array of research.

For a dramatic climate change to take place, "A whole bunch of pieces have to fit together. Certainly this is one of them. We need to keep paying attention, and people are doing that," he said.

Woods Hole is conducting research that measures the path and temperature of some parts of the Gulf Stream.

Such a dramatic climate change would not take place in five days, but rather several years, said Joyce.

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