The Great Ocean Conveyor

The Great Ocean Conveyor, also known as the thermohaline circulation, is a global system of deep and surface ocean currents driven by differences in temperature and salinity. Cold, dense water sinks in polar regions and flows along the ocean floor toward the equator, while warmer surface waters move toward the poles. This circulation helps regulate Earth's climate by distributing heat, nutrients, and oxygen across the world's oceans. It operates over hundreds to thousands of years, playing a crucial role in maintaining the planet's climate balance and marine ecosystems.