While the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean has a complex three - dimensional spatial structure, the zonally integrated flow in the basin, referred to as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is largely responsible for the net
northward oceanic heat transport on climate - relevant timescales.
Continued operation of the
oceanic conveyor belt is important to northern Europe's moderate climate because of
northward transport of
heat in the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current.