What initiates global conveyor circulation in ocean currents?

Global conveyor circulation in ocean currents is primarily initiated by deep water formation in polar seas. In these regions, notably in the North Atlantic and around Antarctica, cold temperatures cause seawater to become denser and sink. This sinking of cold, heavy water is a critical process that drives the thermohaline circulation, also known as the "global conveyor belt."

As cold, dense water sinks in the polar regions, it creates a void that surfaces water from warmer areas must fill. This process, in turn, influences global climate patterns and the distribution of heat across the planet. The movement of surface currents is significantly affected by the sinking of cold water, promoting a continuous flow of ocean water that links the world's oceans together.

While deep water formation in tropical seas and surface water evaporation in tropical regions do play roles in ocean dynamics, they do not initiate the global conveyor circulation. Seasonal temperature changes in coastal areas can also influence local currents, but they are not the primary drivers of the global circulation patterns. The foundational mechanism that sets the global conveyor into motion is indeed the deep water formation that occurs in the polar regions.