November 30, 2005

Day After Tomorrow Scenario Real?

New Scientist Breaking News - Failing ocean current raises fears of mini ice age

The ocean current that gives western Europe its relatively balmy climate is stuttering, raising fears that it might fail entirely and plunge the continent into a mini ice age.

The dramatic finding comes from a study of ocean circulation in the North Atlantic, which found a 30% reduction in the warm currents that carry water north from the Gulf Stream.

Just like the Europeans, they want to keep the ice age all to themselves.

Sorry, guys. If (when?) it happens, it'll be a hemispheric thing.

Doesn't a 30% reduction in current imply a 30% reduction in ocean-transported heat? Shouldn't there be an effect from losing that much energy? So is Europe seeing an early or harsh winter?

When Bryden added previously unanalysed data – collected in the same region by the US government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – he found a similar pattern. This suggests that his 2004 measurements are not a one-off, and that most of the slow-down happened between 1992 and 1998.

1992 and 1998? Well, can't blame that on the present Bush.

Posted on November 30, 2005 05:22 PM