Susan Lozier (Duke University) - A 21st Look at the Global Ocean Conveyor Belt

In 1800 Count Rumford ascertained the ocean's meridional overturning circulation from a single profile of ocean temperature constructed with the use of a rope, a wooden bucket and a rudimentary thermometer.  Over two centuries later, data from floats, drifters and moorings deployed across the North Atlantic have transformed our understanding of the overturning circulation. In this talk I will discuss this transformation and focus on what we currently do and don't understand about the structure, variability and climatic impact of this well-known circulation feature.