Atlantic Ocean Current Collapse Unlikely This Century, Study Finds

New research suggests the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will weaken significantly but avoid a total shutdown before 2100, with major climate impacts still anticipated.

The AMOC, a vital system of ocean currents regulating global climate, is projected to weaken by 20-80% this century but avoid a complete collapse, according to a study published in *Nature*.
The research highlights the role of wind-driven upwelling in the Southern Ocean as a stabilizing mechanism preventing a total shutdown of the AMOC under extreme climate scenarios.
A weakened AMOC could still lead to severe climate disruptions, including shifts in rainfall patterns, accelerated sea level rise, and increased extreme weather events globally.
Scientists emphasize that while a collapse this century is unlikely, the AMOC remains in decline due to global warming, driven by factors like Greenland ice melt and rising ocean temperatures.
The study underscores the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate further weakening of the AMOC and its associated climate risks.