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Researchers claim an open Bering Strait may avoid sudden climate changes

A team of researchers from National Center for Atmospheric Research have come up with another example of how delicate and fragile the natural balance of our planet is. A lot of times we assume with stubborn shortsightedness that what we do, will not affect this subtle balance. But, something as simple as the closing of the Bering Strait could lead us towards the next big abrupt climate change events and new temperature patterns.

Bering Strait May Help Limit Abrupt Climate Changes

In the research paper published by Aixue Hu , the team concluded that the Bering Strait was closed at some point in the past at around 40,000 and 17,000 years ago. It is using this glacial bridge between the present easternmost tip of Russia and westernmost tip of North America that some of the ancient nomads used fro crossed across continents. The glacial bridge between the two continents was formed by receding glaciers of the last ice age. And as temperatures subsequently rose, the glaciers melted to create the current Bering Strait.

If the Bering Strait were to close up again, it would prevent huge amounts of freshwater that comes from the melting glacial surfaces from entering the Pacific, and this in turn would upset the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which is an essential part of earth’s ocean circulation pattern. While there seems no possibility of the Bering Strait closing up anytime soon, if it does happen, maybe quick human intervention is necessary to ensure that this important bridge between the arctic fresh water and the Pacific is maintained for our own existence.

Via: Ibtimes

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