What are ocean gyres?

Ocean gyres are large systems of rotating ocean currents that are primarily driven by wind patterns and the Earth's rotation. These currents circulate in a pattern within the ocean basins, forming loops that cover vast distances across the oceans. Gyres play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by redistributing heat from the equator to the poles, which impacts weather patterns and marine ecosystems.

The rotation of gyres is influenced by the Coriolis effect, which causes moving air and water to turn and twist into a circular motion. There are five major gyres in the world's oceans: the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean gyres. Each of these gyres contributes to global ocean circulation and has varying effects on marine life and nutrient distribution.

In contrast, large areas of stagnant water do not produce the dynamic currents associated with ocean gyres, while regions of high salt concentration typically refer to areas affected by factors like evaporation and river inflow, but they are not defined by rotating currents. Deep sea trenches are geological formations on the ocean floor and are unrelated to the currents that characterize gyres. Thus, the definition encompassing rotating currents correctly captures the nature of ocean gyres.