Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Reviews of Observational and Modeling Advances—An Introduction

Abstract

This article provides a brief overview of AMOC science organized collaboratively between the UK RAPID and US AMOC Programs (with partners internationally) during the past 16 years as reflected in the set of synthesis and review articles in the AGU special issue entitled “Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Reviews of Observational and Modeling Advances.” The article highlights the programs' initial motivations and summarizes the successful implementation of the pan-Atlantic AMOC observing system, efforts to assess the state, variability, and changes in AMOC, advances in understanding AMOC variability mechanisms and predictability, and illumination of AMOC impacts on global and regional climate, sea level, and ecosystems.