Scientists say mysterious cold spot in Atlantic could signal pending climate disaster

(CNN) - There’s a mysterious cold spot in the Atlantic Ocean, and scientists think it’s a signal that a critical system of ocean currents is weakening.

What researchers have nicknamed the “cold blob” is a large patch in the North Atlantic Ocean, just south of Greenland, that has cooled nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900. Meanwhile, the rest of the ocean is enduring record hot temperatures.

Seemingly at the center of the issue is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC. That process moves warm water north, where it cools and sinks then flows back south.

Data suggests the presence of the “cold blob” indicates AMOC is weakening.

Scientists say that’s because human activity has caused warming that is melting ice caps, leading to an infusion of cold, fresh water. That disrupts a delicate balance.

If AMOC were to stop completely, it would likely cause rising sea levels on the U.S. East Coast, frigid winters in Europe and prolonged droughts in Africa.