Convection currents in the atmosphere and oceans, wind patterns, and ocean currents work together to distribute heat throughout the Earth system and prevent large temperature differences between the polar and equatorial regions. Warm air and water rises at the equator, travels poleward and cools before sinking and returning to the equator, while global wind patterns and ocean currents help spread the warmth across the planet.

1. Heat Distribution within the Earth System If the heat from the Sun didn’t move, the polar regions would get colder and the equatorial regions would get hotter, but that’s not the case, and here’s why... #1 CONVECTION CURRENTS in the Atmosphere and in the Oceans Warmer, lighter (because it’s less dense) air and/or water rises, then cools and sinks -- like this...

2. We’ve already seen how CONVECTION CURRENTS within the Earth’s mantle rise at spreading ridges and sink in subduction zones.

3. On a planetary scale, rising and sinking air works like this... ...rising in Equatorial regions, traveling northward and southward, then sinking in Polar regions and traveling back towards the Equator.

4. More specifically, air tends to rise and fall according to climate regions - equatorial, temperate, and polar.. ...air is then spread throughout the plant by easterly and westerly trade winds.

5. Cool water from the deep rises. As it gets to the surface it gives off it’s heat then descends again. #2 Wind Patterns and #3 Ocean Currents help spread warmth throughout the planet Winds on the surface interact with the warmth spreading the heat throughout the planet.

6. Let’s review! So far... #1 - Convection Currents #2 - Global Wind Patterns #3 - Ocean Currents Work in concert to distribute heat throughout the planet.