The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Life Sciences
  3. Marine Science
  4. What would happen if we didn't have ocean currents?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

What would happen if we didn't have ocean currents?

  • 4 Replies
  • 4090 Views
  • 3 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline katieHaylor (OP)

  • Naked Scientist Producer
  • Global Moderator
  • Sr. Member
  • ********
  • 470
  • Activity:
    6.5%
  • Thanked: 1 times
  • Naked Science Forum Newbie
    • View Profile
    • The Naked Scientists
What would happen if we didn't have ocean currents?
« on: 15/08/2018 12:42:30 »
Alejandra asks:

What happens if the oceanic currents stop?

What do you think?
Logged
 



Offline chris

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 7947
  • Activity:
    2.5%
  • Thanked: 273 times
  • The Naked Scientist
    • View Profile
    • The Naked Scientists
Re: What would happen if we didn't have ocean currents?
« Reply #1 on: 15/08/2018 23:17:52 »
Why should they stop? The drivers of ocean circulation are usually thermal: heat from equatorial reasons leads to less dense water that flows pole-ward; at the poles, colder, denser water sinks and upwells towards the equator to displace the less dense warmer water towards the poles.

This is a gross simplification, but essentially ocean currents are thermal conveyors that distribute heat around the planet. As long as there is a thermal gradient then they will flow.
Logged
I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception - Groucho Marx - https://www.thenakedscientists.com/
 

Offline Colin2B

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ********
  • 5281
  • Activity:
    14%
  • Thanked: 440 times
    • View Profile
Re: What would happen if we didn't have ocean currents?
« Reply #2 on: 16/08/2018 08:40:16 »
I was thinking along similar lines Chris; what would stop the currents, because that’s what we would notice first.
Even if the poles melted so no ice cap, you would still expect a thermal gradient between equator and poles, so we would still get a circulation albeit reduced.
Logged
and the misguided shall lead the gullible,
the feebleminded have inherited the earth.
 

Online evan_au

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • ********
  • 9204
  • Activity:
    72.5%
  • Thanked: 922 times
    • View Profile
Re: What would happen if we didn't have ocean currents?
« Reply #3 on: 16/08/2018 11:45:29 »
Quote from: Alejandra
What happens if the oceanic currents stop?
I agree that some ocean currents will continue wherever there is a temperature difference.

However, there is another factor of great interest to the UK which is currently opposing ocean currents in the Atlantic ocean: salinity (saltiness).

Warm water is less dense than cold water (at least down to 4C).
But fresh water is less dense than salty water, and there is a fair amount of fresh water melting off Greenland at present, and mixing with surface waters. This opposes the tendency for water to sink at the poles.

It is the Gulf stream that gives a significant temperature boost to the UK - and the UK's legendary foggy/cloudy weather.

If the Gulf Stream stopped (or diverted elsewhere), the UK and northern Europe would approach temperatures seen at similar latitudes in Canada and Russia.
If the Gulf Stream stopped or slowed significantly, that would leave a patch of warmer water near the Gulf of Mexico which would spawn more hurricanes.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutdown_of_thermohaline_circulation

The results of ocean currents are not very conclusive, because this has not been well-studied (at least in non-classified publications). However, there is now a fleet of economical deep-ocean "gliders" that are exploring ocean currents, measuring temperature and salinity at various depths, and reporting the results back over satellite. So we may find out more in the near future.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_glider
Logged
 

Offline Colin2B

  • Global Moderator
  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ********
  • 5281
  • Activity:
    14%
  • Thanked: 440 times
    • View Profile
Re: What would happen if we didn't have ocean currents?
« Reply #4 on: 16/08/2018 12:29:09 »
Quote from: evan_au on 16/08/2018 11:45:29
It is the Gulf stream that gives a significant temperature boost to the UK - and the UK's legendary foggy/cloudy weather.

If the Gulf Stream stopped (or diverted elsewhere), the UK and northern Europe would approach temperatures seen at similar latitudes in Canada and Russia.
There is a degree of debate about how much the gulf stream influences UK climate. It certainly influences the W Coasts of Ireland and Scotland but overall the effect of being surrounded by a large heat sink in the form of the sea is thought to be a greater influence. This contrasts with central continental climates like Canada and Russia.
Not that I’d be keen for the gulf stream to go however!

Also, we are less foggy than people think. Although compared to Australia......  :)
Logged
and the misguided shall lead the gullible,
the feebleminded have inherited the earth.
 



  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags: currents  / ocean  / heat 
 

Similar topics (5)

What are the chances for a "big crunch" to happen?

Started by The ScientistBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

Replies: 7
Views: 5645
Last post 20/12/2010 11:49:14
by imatfaal
What would happen if one of the "gas giant" planets exploded?

Started by greenslimeBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

Replies: 4
Views: 8018
Last post 02/04/2010 10:38:19
by Murchie85
What would happen if salt water and fresh water swapped?

Started by Paul Chapman Board The Environment

Replies: 1
Views: 3253
Last post 15/01/2017 09:00:22
by evan_au
If I moved backwards at the speed of light holding a torch, what would happen at the start of the beam?

Started by thedocBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

Replies: 53
Views: 10120
Last post 23/11/2017 06:19:21
by jeffreyH
What would happen if Global warming completely melted the polar ice caps?

Started by BrexBoard The Environment

Replies: 10
Views: 21854
Last post 02/12/2007 20:16:37
by Andrew K Fletcher
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.174 seconds with 48 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.