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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

Satellite image of Sea Surface Temperature Diagram of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)
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 by RAPID scientists shows that the strength of the overturning can be determined from gain in the density of surface waters as a result of heat loss and evaporation to the atmosphere. 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.

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