Changing Currents: Two Decades of Observing the AMOC

Montag 30.06.2025, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Berlin

5-1.214 - Linke Seite – Großer, unterteilbarer Konferenzraum (GEOMAR - Standort Ostufer / GEOMAR - East Shore)

Speaker: Eleanor Frajka-Williams, IFM Hamburg

Hybrid  -  online via https://geomar.webex.com/geomar-en/j.php?MTID=mf415834ed76a742bacf01eada863885d

Meeting number: 2787 635 2083
Password: XYwu583sQtA

Abstract
The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is a climate powerhouse, redistributing heat, freshwater and carbon around the ocean. But what is the AMOC, and how do we know what it's doing? Drawing on two decades of continuous measurements, ocean observations have revealed AMOC variability across a range of timescales -from rapid swings to emerging long-term tendencies- and have reshaped our understanding of the system. These data have uncovered unexpected features, including downturns, compensating components and regional patterns that challenge the conveyor belt narrative. At the same time, deeper investigations into the data have exposed critical limitations. Gaps, methodological assumptions and instrumental uncertainties all shape the picture we can construct. While new approaches are beginning to extend our view, the story is still evolving. This is the AMOC as seen from in situ: complex, dynamic, sometimes surprising and still challenging our assumptions.