Ocean currents in the Northern Hemisphere can be disrupted by the loss of Arctic Sea Ice. The amount of ice affects the density of the water which in turn affects ocean currents. Loss of Arctic Sea Ice is associated with a slowing of ocean currents. A warm ocean current causes Western Europe to have mild winters.

Question

Based on the diagram below, what year would you expect Western Europe to have had the harshest winter?


(1 point)
Responses

1982
1982
1999
1999
2012
2012
2018

Answer 1

To determine which year Western Europe might have had the harshest winter based on the information about ocean currents and the loss of Arctic Sea Ice, we need to identify trends in Arctic Sea Ice extent in relation to those years.

If we assume that the loss of Arctic Sea Ice correlates with a slowdown of ocean currents, which in turn would lead to harsher winters in Western Europe, then the year with the most significant decrease in Arctic Sea Ice would likely correspond to a harsher winter.

Without the specific diagram provided, we can generally state that years with notable declines in Arctic Sea Ice, such as 2012, are often linked with extreme weather patterns, including harsh winters in certain regions like Western Europe. Based on the commonly available data regarding Arctic Sea Ice loss, 2012 is frequently highlighted as a year with significant ice extent reduction.

Therefore, if we are to choose among the given years—1982, 1999, 2012, and 2018—without empirical data from the diagram, we would suggest that the year 2012 would likely represent when Western Europe had the harshest winter due to the effects of warm ocean currents being disrupted.

Answer: 2012