2006-11-06 15:32:14 · 4 answers · asked by David A 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
No, it's not the tides, and it's not the winds. It is differences in density but that is an effect, not a cause. The cause is the temperature difference from the equator to the poles due to the heating from sunlight. Cold water from the polar regions sinks and hot water rises. As the water rises, cold water is pulled under it and hot water then moves toward the poles.
2006-11-07 10:20:05 · answer #1 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
volume of water on the earth is ~a million.5B cubic km. floor component to the earth is ~0.5B sq. km. So if all the tectonic plates were on an same elevation, the sea that would want to hide the completed floor of the earth will be 3km (about 2 miles) deep
2016-11-28 20:58:19 · answer #2 · answered by barnas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the movement in the ocean is due to the gravitational pull of the moon. that is why the tides are higher during a full moon. interesting stuff to research.
2006-11-06 15:36:14 · answer #3 · answered by annie - rainbow goddess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wind and density differences of water masses. But wind for the upper kilometer or so.
2006-11-06 15:36:16 · answer #4 · answered by cero143_326 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋