variations in temperature and density, which in turn affect the circulation patterns of the ocean currents. This creates a complex system of warm and cold water masses that play a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate. Some of the consequences of this uneven heating include the formation of tropical cyclones, El Niño and La Niña events, and changes in global sea level. The sun's heating of the ocean also drives the water cycle, which plays a critical role in providing freshwater for land-based ecosystems and human populations.
