World's strongest ocean current is slowing down

04-Mar-2025

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The world's strongest ocean current is slowing down and scientists are blaming it on the unchecked melting Antarctic ice sheet.

The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which flows across Antarctica from west to east plays a crucial role in regulating global climate and ocean circulation.

“The ocean is extremely complex and finely balanced. If this current ‘engine’ breaks down, there could be severe consequences, including more climate variability, with greater extremes in certain regions, and accelerated global warming due to a reduction in the ocean’s capacity to act as a carbon sink," Associate Professor Bishakhdatta Gayen said.