thermohaline circulation

views updated May 14 2018

thermohaline circulation Vertical circulation induced by the cooling of surface waters in a large water body. This cooling causes convective overturning and consequent mixing of waters. In the oceans thermohaline circulation usually results from the combined effects of variations in temperature and salinity.

thermohaline circulation

views updated May 08 2018

thermohaline circulation Vertical circulation induced by the cooling of surface waters in a large water body. This cooling causes convective overturning and consequent mixing of waters. In the oceans, this circulation usually involves temperature and salinity variations acting together.