A recent study by scientists from the University of California, Riverside, indicates that the Gulf Stream has been weakening for over a century, posing risks of its potential collapse. This system, known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is crucial for regulating temperatures in Europe and North America. The study correlates an unusual cold water patch in the North Atlantic with the weakening AMOC, suggesting severe consequences, including extreme cold temperatures in the UK and parts of Europe, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
"This work shows the AMOC has been weakening for more than a century. That trend is likely to continue if greenhouse gases keep rising," said Professor Wei Liu.
"People have been asking why this cold spot exists; we found the most likely answer is a weakening AMOC," said lead study author Wei Liu.
The Gulf Stream is only a small part of a much wider system of currents, officially called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
Worryingly, if the AMOC does collapse, it could plunge large parts of Europe into a deep freeze - with parts of the UK dropping to as low as -30°C.
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