Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation was more stable than thought

Icebergs, here off Antarctica, bring fresh water into the open ocean and can therefore influence ocean circulation. Frerk Pöppelmeier - A study by the University of Bern concludes that at the end of the last ice age there was not, as previously assumed, a complete collapse of the ocean circulation in the Atlantic, which provide a mild climate in Europe. This realization has implications for the discussion on climate tipping points. The climate does not change linearly. If the ice in Antarctica melts or the Amazon rainforest disappears, this may have irreversible consequences for the Earth system. Once such climate tipping points are passed, the climate could change abruptly due to spillover and cascade effects. The system enters a new stable state and cannot return to its initial state.