Thermohaline circulation is a large-scale ocean current system driven by differences in water temperature and salinity. Warm, salty water from the equator rises and moves toward the poles, while colder, denser water sinks and flows back toward the equator. This process helps regulate the Earth's climate by distributing heat across the oceans.
The circulation is often referred to as the "global conveyor belt" because it connects all major oceans. It plays a crucial role in nutrient distribution, marine ecosystems, and carbon cycling, influencing weather patterns and climate conditions around the world.