How do density currents affect the circulation of water in deep parts of the ocean?
The current system that operates under water is sometimes called the global conveyor belt. When warm water at the surface gives up its heat, it becomes cold and sinks to the bottom of the ocean (since cold water is dense). Then the water goes south to the equator (this is an example for the Gulf Stream) and becomes warm. It continues to go south to Antartica, but then circles around Australia becomes warm again. As u can see, the colder water is denser so it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and circulates around the world, and becomes warm again (hence the name “global conveyor belt”).
