Deep Ocean Circulation

What you see on the top of the ocean's surface is just that -- the ocean's surface. There is much more to investigate under the surface, such as the water's movement and layering. Thermohaline circulation is the movement of water caused by differences in density and salinity. These differences form five distinct water masses in each ocean. The movement of the oceanic conveyor belt is important in transferring the water masses and driving the climates around the world.

Essential Questions

• How does thermohaline circulation differ from surface circulation?
• What water masses result from density stratification?
• Why is the oceanic conveyor belt important?