The Importance of the Conveyor Belt in Ocean Currents

The conveyor belt-like Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is crucial for maintaining heat distribution in the ocean. It operates differently from other currents as it is driven by the sinking of cold, salty water in the north Atlantic, which pulls up warm, less salty water from the tropics. Without this sinking water, the entire system halts. Concern arises over a tipping point, where global warming may freshen the north Atlantic, potentially shutting down the conveyor belt altogether. This is a bi-stable system, meaning it can exist in two different states, and once it switches to one state, it is difficult to change it back. The idea of a tipping point suggests that if the system shuts down, it may not easily restart.