b"Thermoline Circulation TRANSITIONAL LAYERThe driving force behind global currents(THERMOCLINE) that heat and cool our globe's oceans. Warm water cools at polesWarm waterflows toward poles Cold, salty water sinks POLECold water warms and risesEQUATORSLOWINGNEWOCEAN CURRENTS NORTH POLEMelting glaciers could also cause the Earths network ofThe rotation of the Earth is also starting to change as a ocean currents to grind to a halt.result of vast amounts of meltwater entering the oceans. The ocean conveyor belt is a system of water currentsThe Earth has two sets of polesthe magnetic poles are that flow across the globe. Thermohaline circulation ispart of the Earths magnetic field and are responsible for the driving force behind these currents, as heat (thermos)the function of a compass, while the geographic poles are and salt (haline) impact the density of watercold, salinepoints on the invisible axis upon which the Earth rotates. water is denser than warm, less saline water. OceanThe location of poles can change over time, and the water moves in response to these density changes,magnetic poles are even known to flip periodically. causing currents to form. During the 20 thcentury, scientists noticed the geographic In the North Atlantic, an influx of freshwater frompoles drifted a few centimeters per year. While this melting glaciers is preventing cold water from sinking asmovement was back and forth, the North Pole was quickly as it usually would, ultimately causing the entiregenerally moving towards Canada. 5conveyor system to slow down. This is problematic, asSince 2000, the North Pole has shifted eastwardtoward the conveyor plays a role in weather patterns, deliveringEuropeat an accelerated rate of 10 cm per year, and nutrients to marine life, and cycling gases.some scientists believe this change is tied, in part, to A sudden, complete collapse of the conveyor is unlikelymelting glaciers. When glaciers melt, mass is lost and before 2100, although it is possible if the Greenlandredistributed elsewhere on the planet. In response to this Ice Sheet were to melt faster than expected. This wouldchange in mass distribution, the Earths axis shifts towards result in abrupt shifts in weather patterns and the where the mass was lost. 5water cycle.1 The geographic north pole is considered true north. On Check out the infographic on the next spread to learnmaps, this is where all longitude lines meet. 6Therefore, about specific changes scientists have theorized with aif the geographic poles location changed enough, maps weakening of the global ocean conveyor belt. would need to be redrawn.18 MISSION: WATER"