Categories: Cryosphere Capsules

Increased Antarctic Ice Sheet Melt Could Cause 40% Slowdown of Deep Ocean Currents by 2050

Nature, 29 March 2023

Projected increases in Antarctic ice sheet melt, especially with high emissions, appear poised to drive a substantial slowdown of deep ocean currents in coming decades, potentially as early as 2050 should current emissions continue. This would cause deep and widespread warming of deep ocean waters, and a 40% slowdown of overturning circulation by that date. The authors write that such changes “would profoundly alter the ocean overturning of heat, fresh water, oxygen, carbon and nutrients, with impacts felt throughout the global oceans for centuries to come.”

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05762-w

Pam Pearson

Recent Posts

Without Emissions Cuts, A Real Risk of Extreme Sea-level Rise by 2100

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 23 April 2026 Observations suggest we are currently tracking…

1 week ago

Increasing Avalanche Risk from Himalayan Hanging Glaciers

NPJ Natural Hazards, 16 April 2026) Rising temperatures and shifting regional precipitation patterns are reducing…

1 week ago

Heavier Rainfall, Glacier Melt Increase Flooding Across the Tibetan Plateau

Nature Communications, 18 March 2026 This study identified a marked increase in both flood frequency…

1 week ago

Intense Ocean Warming, Even If Temporary, Could Trigger Major Antarctic Ice Loss

The Cryosphere, 7 April 2026 Projections of Antarctica’s response to temporary but extreme ocean warming…

1 week ago

Antarctic Sea Ice Decline Linked to Extreme Weather and Climate Patterns

The Cryosphere, 1 April 2026 Antarctic sea ice stayed fairly steady from 2010-2014, but began…

1 week ago

COP30 Video of the Week: Emerging Evidence of Abrupt Changes in the Antarctic Environment

Changes in Antarctica can trigger fast and cascading impacts, often with global consequences. Multiple abrupt…

1 week ago