The Gulf Stream is a surface current in the Atlantic Ocean that flows northward from the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It feeds another current that reaches northern Europe. Which of these events would cause the greatest changes to the path and strength of the Gulf Stream?

A. a strong earthquake that occurs on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean

B. an increase in the volume of river water that flows into the Gulf of Mexico

C. a reversal of direction in the prevailing winds over the Atlantic Ocean

D. a slight increase in the salinity of the Atlantic Ocean

The greatest changes to the path and strength of the Gulf Stream might be caused by an increase in the volume of river water that flows into the Gulf of Mexico (Option B)

Explanation:

The North Atlantic current or Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico forward Europe, providing a relative template clime in most of the European occident.

Ocean streams are sensitive to the amount of freshwater available on the surface. An increase in overflow and precipitation over the ocean could slow or revert the north Atlantic current, blocking warm water flow to Europe.

The deposition of freshwater could cause a temporal deceleration or total collapse of the North Atlantic Current, and this interruption might lead to very cold periods in the North Atlantic.