Atlantic Ocean currents: observations, models and film depictions

In a recent article on spacedaily.com, NASA Study Finds Atlantic Conveyor Belt Not Slowing, it is suggested that the major Atlantic Ocean currents are not slowing down as has been popularly reported, but have slightly sped up between 1993 and 2009.

The source of the data is attributed as Josh Willis from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who also had this research published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, using altimeter measurements from ocean-observing satellites and profiling floats.

The idea of major ocean currents slowing has gained a lot of attention in recent years after slowing was predicted according to some climate models.

The film The Day After Tomorrow depicts a scenario in which the main North Atlantic Current slows down to a point where it stops, causing a catastrophic climate disruption, involving a snap freeze across the Northern Hemisphere and giant storms. Responses to the treatment of this issue in the film have been mixed.

The National Geographic article Global Warming May Alter Atlantic Currents, Study Says provides some background on this issue.

Climate related articles can be found at Climate Debate Daily, where the articles are split into two columns: 'Calls to Action' and 'Dissenting Voices'.