The Great Salinity Anomaly Deep convection is a key component of the ocean?s role in Earth?s climate. Strong winter cooling of surface waters causes them to become denser than water below them, which allows them to sink and mix with deeper water. This process releases heat from the overturned water to the atmosphere and maintains northern Europe?s moderate winter climate. The Great Salinity Anomaly interrupted this process as its pool of fresher water prevented convection. (Illustration by Jack Cook, WHOI)
