Meltwater model (VIDEO)
Caption
The above model shows meltwater released from the Columbia River (bright blue) flowing north towards Alaska in narrow coastal boundary currents. The meltwater, which is less salty or "fresher" than the surrounding water, continues west, reaching Japan after just one year before recirculating eastwards towards the west coast of North America. In just three years, the entire subpolar North Pacific ocean has become "fresher" as a result of the floods, although the exact amount would have been dependent on the size of each flood event, which varied through time.
Credit
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Usage Restrictions
with credit
License
Licensed content