Articles | Volume 22, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1353-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1353-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 Apr 2026
Research article |
| 27 Apr 2026
| 27 Apr 2026
Dynamic and steric sea-level changes due to a collapsing AMOC in the Community Earth System Model
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, De Bilt, the Netherlands
Caroline A. Katsman
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, De Bilt, the Netherlands
Environmental Fluid Mechanics Section, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Dewi Le Bars
Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, De Bilt, the Netherlands
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The Southern Ocean shows strong natural variability on multi-decadal time scales, known as the Southern Ocean Mode (SOM). Using high-resolution ocean simulations, we show that a collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strongly weakens the SOM. This weakening is linked to changes in ocean density, a slowdown of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and shifts in deep convection across the Southern Ocean.
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Short summary
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) modulates the global climate and dynamic sea level. A transition of the AMOC to a much weaker state would cause a redistribution of dynamic sea level across the global ocean surface. Here, we analyse climate model simulations to investigate dynamic sea-level changes associated with a collapsing AMOC. Under an AMOC collapse, the dynamic sea level rises substantially in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) modulates the global climate and dynamic...
