Climate Feedbacks Flashcards
What is thermohaline circulation?
The thermohaline circulation is the flow of warm and cold water that circulates around the world’s oceans.
What is positive feedback?
A positive feedback mechanism is one which takes a system further away from its natural balance.
What is an increase in river flow caused by?
Increase in river flow is caused by warmer surface air temperatures, especially between November and April- when these rivers would normally be frozen.
What does greater river flow result in?
Greater flow creates a significant increase in freshwater flowing into the Arctic, and has the same effect as increasing meltwater- it could slow down or shut off the North Atlantic Drift, affecting the thermohaline circulation and cooling the whole of Northern Europe.
