Bering Strait dam could save key ocean current
Scientists believe a dam could prevent the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and avoid a catastrophic slump in temperatures in northern Europe
AMOC THERMOHALINE CIRCULATION
1
Warm, less saline water flows north
2
Cools to form sea ice
3
Cooler, denser water sinks
4
Loses salinity, rises to surface
SOUTH
NORTH
Takes around 1,000 years for water to complete cycle
Atlantic Ocean
BERING STRAIT DAM 
Maximum depth 59m
Freshwater flow lowers salinity, weakens AMOC
Russia
U.S.
38km
4km
38km
Evidence of stronger AMOC in Pliocene era, 5.3-2.6 million years ago, when land bridge existed
Warm surface current
Cold deep saline current
Low salinity
Low salinity
Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Sources: New Scientist, Science
Picture: NASA Ocean Color
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