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North Atlantic Current Nears Tipping Point, Study Warns

10/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

University of Exeter researchers warn the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is nearing a tipping point.
They identify two destabilization events in the past 150 years from quahog clam shells.
The current event is stronger and has persisted since 1950.
A collapse could bring extreme weather and regional cooling to Western Europe.
The study was published in Science Advances on October 3, 2025.

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Story summary

University of Exeter researchers warn the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is nearing a tipping point.
They identify two destabilization events in the past 150 years from quahog clam shells.
The current event is stronger and has persisted since 1950.
A collapse could bring extreme weather and regional cooling to Western Europe.
The study was published in Science Advances on October 3, 2025.