The annual mean AMOC in 2022 is the lowest after its biggest drop in 2009

Scientists have been monitoring the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) at around 26.5°N since April 2004 through the RAPID/Meridional Overturning Circulation and Heatflux Array/Western Boundary Time Series moored array (RAPID). The newly released RAPID dataset fully incorporated a recent geomagnetic correction of the submarine cable measurement of the Florida Current transport, a critical component of… Continue Reading → As of 2024, there are currently 70 permanent research stations from 29 countries scattered around the continent of Antarctica conducting important scientific research to better understand the Earth system and its changes due to human activity. In the Arctic, however, there are no such permanent research stations because there is no land in the Arctic. Largely funded by the French government, the Tara Ocean Foundation is building a new drifting laboratory that can host up to 18 crew members and can be stationed permanently over the Arctic. This floating laboratory is equipped with a self-propulsion system. So, it can navigate around the Arctic if needed. It also has an underwater hatch (moon pool) to lower CTD and other sensors directly into the Arctic Sea. The $23 million floating station is scheduled for a 2-year long sea trial in 2026. Image Credit: https://fondationtaraocean.org/en/schooner/tara-polar-station/