Environmental Science
How Thermohaline Circulation Drives Global Ocean Heat Distribution
Quick fact
Thermohaline circulation takes about 1,000 years to complete a full cycle around the globe, making the ocean's heat distribution a slow but powerful force for climate stability.
Why this is interesting
You know the ocean surface moves with tides and winds, but did you know a hidden 'conveyor belt' carries heat across the entire planet, thousands of meters below? What drives this massive, unseen circulation?