Tengeráramlatok

Tengeráramlatok refer to the continuous, directed movement of seawater. These currents are driven by a variety of factors, including wind, differences in water density (due to temperature and salinity variations), and the Earth's rotation. They play a crucial role in distributing heat, nutrients, and marine organisms across the globe, significantly influencing climate patterns and supporting ocean ecosystems.

Surface currents, typically found in the upper few hundred meters of the ocean, are primarily driven by prevailing winds. As winds blow across the ocean surface, they create friction that drags the water along, setting it in motion. The Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth's rotation, deflects these moving waters. In the Northern Hemisphere, currents are deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are deflected to the left. This deflection leads to the formation of large, circular current systems known as gyres.

Deeper ocean currents, often referred to as thermohaline circulation, are driven by density differences. Colder, saltier water is denser than warmer, less salty water. When large bodies of cold, salty water form (often in polar regions), they sink and begin to flow towards the equator, pushing warmer surface waters away. This slow, deep-sea conveyor belt circulates water throughout the world's oceans over hundreds or thousands of years, transporting dissolved gases and influencing global climate. Tengeráramlatok are essential for regulating Earth's temperature and maintaining the health of marine life.