Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Ocean temperature refers to the measurement of how warm or cold ocean water is. It plays a crucial role in regulating climate patterns and influencing marine ecosystems.
Related terms
Thermohaline Circulation: The global pattern of ocean currents driven by differences in water density caused by variations in temperature and salinity.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO): A climate pattern characterized by changes in sea surface temperatures across the tropical Pacific Ocean that can influence weather patterns worldwide.