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It is gravity that drives thermohaline circulation. It's a gravity current. We usually apply the term thermohaline circulation to the deep ocean currents that are driven by gravity. Colder water or water that has a higher salt content than other water is more dense, and gravity will act on it to pull it "down" deeper. It will displace warmer or less salty water and move to greater depths. This sets the stage for a deep ocean current we call a thermohaline expressway. Use the links below for more information on gravity currents (which are sometimes called density currents).
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sflo:
I would say this answer is limited in explaining what drives thermohaline circulation. Changes in density certainly affect circulation, particularly when water emerges from the deep or submerges to depths (upwelling and downwelling), but the effects of "gravity" on water masses of varying densities aren't a driver of circulation, per se. I would like to point that within the "thermohaline circulation," "thermo-" and "haline" are both components of the name. Thus in a more elemental manner, it makes more sense to explain this phenomenon by temperature and salinity differences, as well as the resulting changes in density, rather than merely "gravity."
For a great snap-shot of our current understanding (or rather lack-therof) of the thermohaline circulation, what drives it, and how it affects or is affected by climate, please look-up:
"Thermohaline circulation: The current climate" Nature421, 699 (13 February 2003) | doi:10.1038/421699a == ==
What else can I help you with?
Can blocking atmospheric or oceanic circulation patterns could drastically change climate?
true source: Switched on Schoolhouse Earth science
What is another name for the circulation of blood from lungs to heart to body?
Pulmonary circulation Pulmonary circulation pulmonary circulation pulmonary circulation
What is the flow of blood to the tissues of the heart?
coronary circulation
The arteries of the pulmonary circulation differ from those of the systemic circulation in that they carry?
The arteries of the pulmonary circulation differ from those of the systemic circulation in that they carry?
Is the pulmonary artery a part of systemic circulation?
The blood circulation in the Lungs, called the pulmonary circulation, is COMPLETELY a part of the general, systemic circulation of Blood.
Thermohaline circulation is driven by changes in?
Thermohaline circulation is driven by changes in temperature and salinity of ocean water. Cold, dense water sinks in the polar regions due to its high salinity and low temperature, driving the deep ocean currents that help regulate the global climate by redistributing heat and nutrients around the world.
Why is the thermohaline circulation important?
The thermohaline circulation is important because it helps distribute heat and nutrients around the globe, influencing climate patterns and marine ecosystems. It plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate by transporting warm water towards the poles and cold water towards the equator. Any disruption to this circulation pattern can have far-reaching impacts on weather patterns and ecosystems worldwide.
What is thermohaline circulation?
Thermohaline circulation is a global pattern of ocean currents driven by differences in temperature and salt concentration. It plays a crucial role in distributing heat around the planet and regulating climate. This circulation helps transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the ocean, influencing marine ecosystems.
Surface ocean circulation is also called thermohaline circulation?
Thermohaline circulation is also called overturning circulation. It is driven by density. The time scale for thermohaine is 1000 years.
What causes thermohaline circulation?
The term thermohaline circulation ( THC ) refers to the part of the large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by global density gradients created by surface heat and freshwater fluxes
What is the Atlantic thermohaline circulation?
The Atlantic thermohaline circulation, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is a large system of ocean currents that transport warm, salty water northward in the Atlantic Ocean and colder, fresher water southward. It plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate by distributing heat around the globe. Disruption of the AMOC can have significant impacts on regional and global climate patterns.
How can deep density driven currents affect earths climate?
Deep density driven currents, such as the thermohaline circulation, play a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate by transporting heat and nutrients around the globe. Disruption of these currents can impact regional climate patterns, leading to changes in temperature and precipitation. For example, a weakening of the thermohaline circulation could result in cooler temperatures in certain regions as heat is not distributed as efficiently.
What is another name for thermohaline circulation?
Global Ocean Conveyor
Explain what thremohaline circulation is and how it works?
Thermohaline circulation is a global oceanic circulation driven by differences in temperature and salinity. Cold, dense water sinks in polar regions and flows toward the equator, while warmer, less dense water flows back towards the poles near the ocean surface. This process helps regulate Earth's climate by transporting heat and nutrients around the world.
A thermohaline current is a current which is affected by?
A thermohaline current is affected by differences in water temperature and salinity. These differences drive the circulation of deep ocean waters around the globe, transporting heat and nutrients to different regions and influencing climate patterns.
What is the global ocean conveyor belt's scientific name?
thermohaline circulation
What is another name for thermohaline?
Another name for thermohaline circulation is the ocean conveyor belt. This circulation pattern involves the movement of water around the world's oceans based on differences in temperature and salinity.
