Thermohaline circulation (THC) is a part of the large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by global density gradients created by surface heat and freshwater fluxes. The adjective thermohaline derives from thermo- referring … See more

As the deep waters sink into the ocean basins, they displace the older deep-water masses, which gradually become less dense due to … See more

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• Atlantic multidecadal oscillation – Climate cycle that affects the surface temperature of the North Atlantic
• Brunt-Väisälä frequency – Measure of fluid stability against vertical displacement See more

It has long been known that wind can drive ocean currents, but only at the surface. In the 19th century, some oceanographers suggested that the convection of heat could drive deeper … See more

These density differences caused by temperature and salinity ultimately separate ocean water into distinct water masses, … See more

The thermohaline circulation plays an important role in supplying heat to the polar regions, and thus in regulating the amount of sea ice in these regions, although poleward … See more

• Apel, JR (1987). Principles of Ocean Physics. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-058866-8.
• Gnanadesikan, A.; R. D. Slater; P. S. Swathi; G. K. Vallis … See more