Thermocline

A thermocline is a distinct layer within a body of water, such as an ocean or lake, where the temperature drops rapidly with increasing depth. Above this layer, the water remains relatively warm and mixed by surface currents, while below it, the water is colder and more stable. The thermocline acts as a boundary that separates these two temperature zones, influencing marine life distribution, weather patterns, and the movement of nutrients. It's most prominent in summer or in deeper lakes and oceans, playing a crucial role in the aquatic environment's thermal structure.