The Atlantic Ocean’s major current system is slowing down – but a 21st century collapse is unlikely

Scientists collect water and sediment samples to study how the oceans and climate are changing. Eugene Bergh, Author provided

Whether the water at your local beach is being roiled by nasty weather or is a perfectly calm expanse of blue, there’s always a great deal going on under the surface. The ocean is composed of various currents and water masses; those currents flow around the world through what is called thermohaline circulation.

This circulation drives the distribution of heat, salinity and nutrients throughout the world’s oceans, ensuring that our whole planet is habitable for life.