The Gulf Stream shapes weather from Miami to Manchester—but is it really weakening?

In this SciCafe, Christopher Piecuch, associate scientist in the physical oceanography department of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, dives into the science behind ocean circulation, sea level rise, and climate whiplash.

Learn how researchers use decades of complex and costly observations to understand the Atlantic Ocean’s overturning circulation and how recent corrections to a key dataset have upended what we thought we knew. From the Florida Straits to the North Atlantic, Piecuch explains what’s actually happening beneath the waves, what’s still unknown, and why the process of scientific revision is essential for understanding a changing climate.

Resources for SciCafe’s Frequent Geeks

Quick Pick: The Gulf Stream

Big Bite: In the Atlantic Ocean, Subtle Shifts Hint at Dramatic Dangers

Deep Dive: Is the Atlantic Overturning Circulation Approaching a Tipping Point?

SciCafe: The Motion of the Ocean

Resources for SciCafe’s Frequent Geeks