North Atlantic warming hole, illustration. Also known as the 'cold blob' (blue, upper centre), this cold temperature anomaly of ocean surface waters i
North Atlantic warming hole, illustration. Also known as the 'cold blob' (blue, upper centre), this cold temperature anomaly of ocean surface waters is thought to be caused by climate change-induced melting of the Greenland ice sheet. It has affected the western part (below Greenland) of the North Atlantic Drift, the north-eastward extension of the Gulf Stream. This and other surface and deep-water currents are the Atlantic part of the global thermohaline circulation that distributes heat round the world's oceans. Here, it is responsible for the temperate climate of north-western Europe and disruption of this circulation could cause more extreme weather along with colder winters and summers. For this illustration without the cold blob, see image C047/4539. For alternate illustration of the cold blob, see images C047/4540 to C047/4542.
Size: 6076px × 5753px
Photo credit: © MIKKEL JUUL JENSEN / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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