Hydrosphere Contents

4. Oceans

The oceans play a crucial role in the Earth's climate

Regional climates may be affected by proximity to oceans, amongst other factors.

Ocean currents distribute energy towards the poles and influence atmospheric circulation. The regions of the land close to the sea generally have a higher rainfall and smaller annual temperature variation than areas located far inland. (The other major factors affecting climate are the atmospheric convection cells and local topography.) The circulation patterns in the surface ocean are controlled by the winds.

What role do oceans play in the Earth's climate?