Frontiers of Marine Geology –Change in the Warming Arctic Accelerated

Question 1

The Gakkel Ridge

Answer 1

The slowest spreading center on earth

Steepest siding

Question 2

Current Issue

Answer 2

Slowing of the Gulf Stream

Question 3

Slowing of the Gulf Stream

Answer 3

 Have a lot of fresh water (melting of permafrost and remaining ice from Greenland)
 Coming down the Labrador current and interacts with Gulf Stream. Warm water interacts with cold water (creates a circular gyer) creates North Atlantic deep-water formation. Eventually upwelling in the Indian and/or Southern Ocean.
 The Labrador current is carrying a lot more water right now. It is cold which makes it dense but because its fresh water, the density is reduced. This causes it to sit on top of the salt water. Even though it is mixing with warm Gulf Stream water, it is still low enough density that is not allowing it to sink.
 The result is the slowing of formation of north Atlantic deep water. Less downwelling and becomes backed up and everything slows down.
 This causes sea level rise in Virginia (recuring flooding). No longer sucking water up and water level rises.
 Less heat transport from tropic to poles -> rapidly cooling climate.
• Slow this enough that it could actually create cooling which could cause a negative impact

Question 4

Return to Exploration

Answer 4

 The arctic have the massive continental shelfs that have large oil reservoirs.
 Causes environmental consequences.
 Most of this oil is in Russia