What is the vertical movement of ocean water called?

The vertical movement of ocean water primarily refers to processes like upwelling and thermohaline circulation, both of which involve significant movements of water between different depths in the ocean.

Upwelling is a specific phenomenon that occurs when deep, cooler, and nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface, often due to winds that push surface waters away from an area. This upward movement brings vital nutrients to the upper layers of the ocean, supporting marine life and influencing local ecosystems.

Thermohaline circulation, often referred to as the global conveyor belt, involves the movement of water in the ocean driven by differences in temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline). This circulation is crucial for distributing heat and nutrients around the globe, as warmer, lighter water moves toward the poles and denser, colder water sinks and travels back toward the equator.

Ocean stratification, while related, refers to the layering of water in the ocean based on temperature and salinity, but it does not necessarily describe the vertical movement itself. Thus, identifying both thermohaline circulation and upwelling as significant processes that result in the vertical movement of ocean water supports the chosen answer. The combination of these two processes provides a comprehensive understanding of how and why ocean waters move