Atlantic meridional overturning circulation

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is the main ocean current system in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of Earth’s ocean circulation system and plays a key role in the climate system. The AMOC includes surface and deep ocean currents in the Atlantic that are influenced by changes in weather, temperature, and salt levels.

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Atlantic meridional overturning circulation

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is the main ocean current system in the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of Earth’s ocean circulation system and helps control the planet’s climate. The AMOC includes surface and deep ocean currents in the Atlantic that are influenced by changes in weather, temperature, and salinity.

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Thermohaline circulation

Thermohaline circulation (THC) is a part of the large-scale movement of ocean water caused by differences in water density. These density differences are created by changes in temperature and salt content at the ocean’s surface. The term “thermohaline” comes from “thermo-” (meaning temperature) and “haline” (meaning salt), which together influence the density of seawater.

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Biological pump

The biological pump, also called the marine biological carbon pump, is a process that helps the ocean store carbon from the atmosphere and land runoff deep inside the ocean and in seafloor sediments. This process uses living things to move carbon away from the atmosphere and land into the deep ocean. The biological pump is part of the larger “marine carbon pump,” which includes both physical and biological processes.

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Biological pump

The biological pump, also called the marine biological carbon pump, is a process that moves carbon from the air and land into the deep ocean and ocean floor sediments. This process is driven by living things, which move carbon to the deep ocean, away from the air and land. The biological pump is part of the larger marine carbon pump, which includes both physical and biological processes.

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Biogeochemical cycle

A biogeochemical cycle, or a cycle of matter, is the movement and change of chemical elements and compounds between living things, the atmosphere, and Earth’s crust. Major cycles include the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the water cycle. In each cycle, a chemical element or molecule is changed and moved by living organisms and through different parts of Earth, such as the atmosphere, soil, and oceans.

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Sulfur cycle

The sulfur cycle is a natural process that moves sulfur between rocks, water, and living things. It is important in geology because it affects many types of minerals. In living things, sulfur is a necessary element (CHNOPS), meaning it is part of many proteins and important molecules.

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Phosphorus cycle

The phosphorus cycle is the process that moves phosphorus through Earth’s solid layers, water parts, and living parts. Unlike other cycles, the atmosphere does not play a major role in this process because phosphorus rarely becomes a gas. Phosphine, a rare gas form of phosphorus, is only created under special conditions.

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Carbon cycle

The carbon cycle is a natural process that moves carbon through Earth’s systems, including the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Other important biogeochemical cycles are the nitrogen cycle and the water cycle. Carbon is a key part of living things and is also found in many rocks, such as limestone.

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1883 eruption of Krakatoa

Between May 20 and October 21, 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatoa, located in the Sunda Strait (then part of the Dutch Empire, now modern-day Indonesia), began erupting. The eruption lasted more than five months. On August 27, the island experienced its most powerful eruption, which destroyed more than 70 percent of the island and its surrounding archipelago.

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