Ocean Circulation

Ocean circulation is the movement of various water masses across the Earth’s oceans. It is driven by wind, currents, density differences and the rotation of the Earth. Ocean circulation has a major influence on the Earth’s climate and is an important factor in the global carbon cycle. It moves essential nutrients from the depths of the ocean to its surface, allowing for photosynthesis to take place and providing food for plankton, fish and other marine organisms. Ocean circulation also helps regulate global temperatures and can help reduce the damaging impacts of extreme weather events.