EARTHSC 2GG3 Lecture Notes - United States Budget Sequestration In 2013, Ss Atlantic Conveyor, Sea Level Rise
31 Oct 2013
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Document Summary
Increase in atmospheric temperature has been moderated by oceans which soak up more than 80% of global warming. Small warming of oceans contributes significantly to energy that drives storms. Water expands as it warms causing sea levels to rise. Warmer temperatures will cause more evaporation from oceans increasing atmospheric water vapor increasing global warming. Warming oceans is a trend tat cannot easily be reversed. Oceans can only be cooled by cooling atmosphere above them. Even with no further manmade emissions it would take hundreds to thousands of years to cool the environment to a level of a century ago. Large-scale conveyor belt circulation in the atlantic ocean involves: currents of warm, shallow water moving northward, sinking, cold water moving south (gulf stream) Low-density fresh water from melting glaciers and ice sheets could stop. Atlantic conveyor belt has shut down in the past causing dramatic regional cooling. Areas closer to the poles and equator will become wetter.
