The global conveyor belt thermohaline circulation is driven primarily by the formation and sinking of deep water (from around 1500m to the Antarctic bottom water overlying the bottom of the ocean) in the Norwegian Sea. When the strength of the haline forcing increases due to excess precipitation, runoff, or ice melt the conveyor belt will weaken or even shut down. The variability in the strength of the conveyor belt will lead to climate change in Europe and it could also influence in other areas of the global ocean.
Year: 2007
From collection: Global Outlook for Ice and Snow
Cartographer:
Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal
Tags:
Antarctica
arctic tundra
climate change
indigenous peoples
polar bear