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The Gulf Stream is also known as the Conveyor as it behaves like a huge conveyor belt, running in a continuous loop from the Gulf of Mexico (from which it derives its name) north-eastwards across the Atlantic to the North Sea by Scandinavia, where the comparatively warm water sinks to a lower depth and begins it's return journey south-west to its source in the Gulf where it rises to the surface and the process begins again.
This process is dependent upon the sea water being within a comparatively band of salinity levels, and if the salinity drops below a certain level, this would effectively 'switch off' the Gulf Stream. As the north polar ice caps are melting at a greater level due to global warming, icebergs are drifting further south and east than ever before, and as they melt, being composed of fresh water, they have the effect of reducing the sea's salinity.
Current (if you'll excuse the pun !) estimates of when the Gulf Stream would cease if this trend continues, range from 50 to 100 years from now.
Living in the UK, I can only say I'm glad I won't be around to see it. Our winters will be 10 times worse, and I loathe snow and the cold !
This process is dependent upon the sea water being within a comparatively band of salinity levels, and if the salinity drops below a certain level, this would effectively 'switch off' the Gulf Stream. As the north polar ice caps are melting at a greater level due to global warming, icebergs are drifting further south and east than ever before, and as they melt, being composed of fresh water, they have the effect of reducing the sea's salinity.
Current (if you'll excuse the pun !) estimates of when the Gulf Stream would cease if this trend continues, range from 50 to 100 years from now.
Living in the UK, I can only say I'm glad I won't be around to see it. Our winters will be 10 times worse, and I loathe snow and the cold !
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