Question

The water from the Atlantic ocean flows over the Mediterranean sea because ______.

Options

• the latter is more saline.

• the latter is warmer.

• of the direction of westerlies.

• of the earth's rotation.

Answer 1

The water from the Atlantic ocean flows over the Mediterranean sea because the latter is more saline.

Explanation:

The Mediterranean Sea has a higher salinity than the Atlantic Ocean due to high evaporation and limited freshwater input. This makes the water in the Mediterranean denser and heavier. As a result, the less saline (lighter) Atlantic Ocean water flows over the denser Mediterranean water at the Strait of Gibraltar. This creates a two-layer current system, with Atlantic water flowing in at the surface and Mediterranean water flowing out below.