What is the process by which ocean water moves in large circulatory patterns?

The process by which ocean water moves in large circulatory patterns is known as ocean circulation. This term encompasses the large-scale movement of water within the world's oceans, driven by various factors including wind patterns, the rotation of the Earth, and differences in water density due to temperature and salinity gradients.

Ocean circulation plays a critical role in regulating the climate by distributing heat across the planet. It includes major currents such as the Gulf Stream, which helps transport warm water from the tropics toward higher latitudes, impacting both regional climates and weather patterns.

Contrasting with this, ocean evaporation refers to the process by which water transforms from a liquid to a gas, primarily affecting local water levels and atmospheric humidity but not large-scale movement. Ocean mixing involves the vertical and horizontal movement of water layers, but it is a component of circulation rather than synonymous with it. Ocean stratification refers to the layering of water in the ocean based on variations in temperature and salinity, which can affect circulation patterns but is not the same as the movement itself. Thus, ocean circulation is the most comprehensive term describing the dynamic movements of ocean waters across vast distances.