How Does the Sun Affect Ocean Currents?

The sun heats the ocean, and that heat moves water like a giant conveyor belt. Imagine you're sitting in a bathtub, and your friend turns on the hot tap, the warm water starts to rise, while the cooler water sinks down. That’s what happens in the ocean: warm water rises, and cold water falls, creating currents.

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Examples

Imagine a bathtub full of water: when you turn on the hot tap, warm water rises while cold water sinks down.
If it's hot near the equator and cold at the poles, like a giant bath with different taps running in each end.
A current can be as simple as waves moving along the beach, but these ocean currents are like rivers inside the sea.

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Categories: Environment · Ocean Currents,Climate Science,Solar Energy