Some people say that one day the gulf stream will stop. When do they predict it will happen again?

Question

Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, mentioned about this on his TV program. And how conditions will be great for driving Range Rover's around in as there will be immense amounts of snow.

Answer 1

That's a good question and one which has had the scientists scratching their heads for many years.

There's good evidence to suggest that in the past the Gulf Stream has been 'switched on and off' and that it's not always been flowing in the same place as it does now.

Ocean currents (more correctly Thermohaline Circulation) are complex and although we understand wuite a bit there's a lot still to learn.

It seems likely that the Gulf Stream could be switched off if the salinity (saltiness) or temperatures of the oceans changed (the word Thermohaline comes from Thermo - heat and Haline - salt).

The Gulf Stream moderates the climate of the UK and although on the same latitude as cities such as Moscow and Winnipeg the UK has considerably warmer weather (even without the Gulf Stream the Atlantic would have a moderating effect but not so pronounced).

Without the Gulf Stream the UK would be about 10 to 12 degrees C colder and as Clarkson says - there will be a lot more snow. The winter season, not that we've had any for some time, would start in about September and end in May, snow would be possible year round even in the south west of the country.

Meltwater from the Arctic introduces fresh cold water to the North Atlantic. Fresh water is less dense than salt water and would have the effect of forcing the Gulf Stream closer to the ocean bed. Conversely, cold water is more dense than warm water and would have the effect of forcing the Gulf Stream closer to the ocean surface. It's possible that the upward and downward effects could cancel each other out and effectively bulldoze the Gulf Stream further south.

As for what will happen and when - we'll have to wait and see.

Answer 2

Interesting question.... I would first ask you if you believe we have a "significant" influence on global warming? If Yes.
I should leave. If you are unsure, then I would consider this...
... the sun is our source of warmth. The same scientist who declare global warming as a threat NOW, are most likely the same scientists who said we "are heading for a mini ice age" in the 1970s! All in all, the sun is what dictates our avg climate. If the solar storm that we are experiencing right now... and for the last 15 years stops. Guaranteed we will see that the avg temp will decrease! If it does decrease further than what we are USE to. I would have to say, there is a good chance that the oceanic currents could slow down.
Unfortunately, though for this to happen, more than 2 degrees of temp drop will NEED to occur! This i would speculate could NOT happen in a matter of decades.... But if you want to speculate on something more Science Fiction... imagine the planet being struck by a meteor/asteroid. Like a pebble striking a water with a film of oil on its surface..... if that the oil represents the earth's crust and the water the earth's magna.
What happens when the pebble hits the water? RIPPLES, oil shifts!??? Could you imagine if an asteroid having this effect on the planet? Could you imagine THE ROCKy mountains forming instantaneously in the middle of SIberia? or Canada!? I would certainly think this could happen, and the effects on oceanic currents would be obvious...
... nice thought
will

Answer 3

Falcon 00 is partly brilliant. The Gulf flow also impacts the E coast of the U. S., by technique of moderating temps. If it stopped, that's very uncertain, i ought to imagine winters alongside the E coast should be cooler, yet I doubt it ought to throw it into an ice age.

Answer 4

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Question: are there 2 Gulf Streams?

Answer 5

when the temperatures equalize and the wind stops, i don't think it will happen for a very long time.