The global-scale ocean circulation driven by differences in water density arising from temperature and salinity, in which cold, salty, dense water sinks at high latitudes and slowly spreads through the deep ocean before eventually upwelling and returning to the surface elsewhere. Sometimes called the global ocean conveyor belt, it redistributes heat around the planet on timescales of centuries and plays a major role in regional climate, including keeping northwestern Europe milder than its latitude would otherwise suggest.
Facts
Partially Attested
Scientific Consensus YearThe source says the circulation was established in 1960 by Henry Stommel and Arnold B. Arons; it does not describe a formal consensus date. Process Type TimescaleApproximately 1000 years transit time for the oldest waters 1 Connections
Associated With
Source Sea Ice Formation (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Thermohaline circulation, Wikipedia
Lead paragraph, first sentence
Thermohaline circulation (THC) is a part of the large-scale ocean circulation driven by global density gradients formed by surface heat and freshwater fluxes.
Paragraph on upwelling of thermohaline water, transit time sentence
the oldest waters (with a transit time of approximately 1000 years) upwell in the North Pacific
Paragraph on the two main waters, Stommel and Arons sentence
These two waters are the main drivers of the circulation, which was established in 1960 by Henry Stommel and Arnold B. Arons.
View the SourceSea Ice Formation (Wikipedia)
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.