Deep Ocean Currents: Driven by Earth’s Rotation and Density (Thermohaline Circulation)

Deep ocean currents are primarily governed by the thermohaline circulation (“global conveyor belt”), which is directly linked to:

• Earth’s Rotation (Coriolis Effect): Deflects moving water right (NH) / left (SH), shaping gyres and deep‑flow paths.
• Density Differences: Cold, salty water sinks at high latitudes (North Atlantic, Antarctic); warm, fresher water rises in the tropics.

This density‑driven, rotation‑influenced system transports heat, nutrients, and carbon globally, regulating climate and marine productivity.