How could the collapse of the AMOC affect Iceland?

A potential collapse of the AMOC could trigger a modern-day ice age in Northern Europe, with winter temperatures in Iceland plummeting to new cold extremes and bringing far more snow and ice. This would severely impact the country's energy, food, and transportation infrastructure.

What is Iceland doing to prepare for an AMOC collapse?

Iceland's government has designated the AMOC collapse as an existential threat and is coordinating a national response. They are assessing risks, conducting research, and developing disaster preparedness policies to address potential impacts on energy, food security, and infrastructure.

Home / Environment / Iceland Declares Potential Atlantic Current Collapse an Existential Threat

Iceland Declares Potential Atlantic Current Collapse an Existential Threat

Q: What is the AMOC and why is it important?

The AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) is a crucial ocean current system that moves warm water from the tropics to the northern Atlantic, helping to keep places like northwestern Europe and the northeastern US milder in winter. It is a key driver of global weather patterns.

12 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Iceland designates Atlantic current collapse as national security risk
Melting Arctic ice and Greenland's ice sheet could disrupt ocean circulation
Potential collapse could trigger a modern-day ice age in Northern Europe

Iceland Declares Potential Atlantic Current Collapse an Existential Threat

According to a news report from 2025-11-12T12:26:07+00:00, Iceland has designated the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as an existential threat and has begun planning for worst-case scenarios. The AMOC is a crucial ocean current system that moves warm water from the tropics to the northern Atlantic, helping to keep places like northwestern Europe and the northeastern US milder in winter.

However, as warming temperatures speed up the thaw of Arctic ice and cause meltwater from Greenland's ice sheet to pour into the ocean, scientists warn that the influx of cold freshwater could disrupt the AMOC's flow. A potential collapse of this system could trigger a modern-day ice age, with winter temperatures across Northern Europe plummeting to new cold extremes and bringing far more snow and ice.