HR: 1340h
AN: PP13B-1491    [Abstracts]
TI: Rapid Climate Change (RAPID) - Observing the Changes
AU: * Srokosz, M A
EM: mas@noc.soton.ac.uk
AF: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, Empress Dock, Southampton, SO14 3ZH United Kingdom
AU: Byfield, V
EM: valborg@noc.soton.ac.uk
AF: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, Empress Dock, Southampton, SO14 3ZH United Kingdom
AB: The potential for the slowdown or shutdown of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) under a global warming scenario has been demonstrated in climate model studies. This would have an adverse impact on the climate of northwest Europe, as the heat transported north by the MOC would be diminished and so would the heat transferred to the atmosphere as weather systems cross the North Atlantic. The Rapid Climate Change programme (RAPID), which was initiated by the UK Natural Environment Research Council, aims to improve our ability to quantify the probability and magnitude of future rapid changes in climate. Using a combination of present day and paleo observation and modelling, RAPID seeks to understand the impacts of changes in the MOC and the mechanisms by which they occur. Here some initial results from the programme will be presented.
UR: http://rapid.nerc.ac.uk
DE: 1620 Climate dynamics (0429, 3309)
DE: 3339 Ocean/atmosphere interactions (0312, 4504)
DE: 4215 Climate and interannual variability (1616, 1635, 3305, 3309, 4513)
DE: 4262 Ocean observing systems
DE: 4901 Abrupt/rapid climate change (1605)
SC: Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology [PP]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005