RAPID-WATCH 2008-2014
RAPID-WATCH builds on RAPID to deliver a decade-long (2004-2014) time series of observations of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC). The observations will be used with data from other sources to
- determine and interpret recent changes in the Atlantic MOC,
- assess the risk of rapid climate change due to changes in the MOC, and
- investigate the potential for predicting the MOC and its impacts on climate.
This work will be carried out in collaboration with the Hadley Centre in the UK, and through international partnerships.
New Method for Estimating Variability in the Atlantic Overturning Circulation
Left: Sea surface temperature in January 2009. Right: Diagram of the Atlantic overturning. Click on images for larger figures.
At present there is no monitoring system to measure the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at latitudes from about 40 °N to 65 °N. 'However, recent research shows that the strength of the overturning can be determined from the gain in the density of surface waters as a result of heat loss and evaporation to the atmosphere. The research, which builds on results from an earlier Rapid funded proposal, has been carried out by J.Grist, S. Josey and R.Marsh at the National Oceanography Centre,Southampton under the NERC Oceans 2025 programme Theme 1. This is the basis for a new method used to estimate the strength of the AMOC at these latitudes.
Stronger evaporation and cooling means leads to greater formation of North Atlantic Deep Water, which sinks and flows back south at depth. Greater deep water formation increases this flow, and strengthens the overturning at higher latitudes. For more information see news article on the NOCS web site.
Related web sites
- RAPID Data Centre RAPID data catalogue, cruise program, data access, etc.
- RAPID-WATCH KE PagesInformation for stakeholders
- RAPID Science Explained Background information about the Atlantic overturning and its role in Earth's climate system
- RAPID MOC Monitoring the Meridional overturning circulation at 26° North
- RAPID WAVE Monitoring the variability of the Deep Western Boundary Current
- RAPID THC MIP Understanding uncertainty in simulations of THC-related climate change: Model Intercomparison Project
- RAPID 2001-2007 Home page of the RAPID programme with links to projects, meetings, publications etc.
- Download the RAPID logo
- Download the RAPID brochure an overview of the RAPID programme and its results 2001-2007 (PDF 4.6MB).