The Gulf Stream could be on the verge of collapse, scientists warn. If this happens, the northern hemisphere would be plunged into a new ice age.
New research shows a “key fingerprint” hidden below the ocean’s surface suggests it could have been weakening for decades.
The temperature fingerprint is between 1,000 and 2,000 metres below the ocean’s surface.
It indicates that a collapse could happen later this century. The Gulf Stream is a small part of a wider system of currents.
It transports warm water near the ocean’s surface northwards from the tropics to the northern hemisphere.
The UK and the US east coast are kept mild in terms of temperature by it.
The Atlantic current is at risk of collapse, which would plunge the UK and Europe into extreme cold.
Scientists are urging governments to take action before it’s too late, with some governments already planning for worst-case scenarios.
Temperatures in the UK could drop as low as -30C in the event of it collapsing.
UK summers would likely become much shorter and cooler, with significant impacts on rainfall and agriculture.
Less cloud cover, potential droughts, and a decrease in overall rainfall would also be a result.
Scientists analysed observational data, climate models and ocean simulations to track 75 years into the future as part of their study.
They found a slowdown to be in progress due to surprisingly warm temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Further analysis using climate models confirmed that this mid-depth warming is highly correlated with changes over the coming decades, according to the projections.
While it is now known when exact changes could occur, the research has raised new questions about the future climate of the Earth.