At the equatorial ocean basins,sea surface temperatures may reach 30°C or greater;at the sea floor 4 km to 5 km below,the temperature is ____________.
A)slightly warmer (33°C)
B)about room temperature (25°C)
C)cool (10°C-15°C)
D)near freezing (1°C-2°C)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

At the ocean floor in the equatorial ocean basins, the temperature is near freezing, typically around 1°C to 2°C. This is due to the fact that cold water from the poles sinks and flows towards the equator, where it is replaced by warm surface water. As the cold water sinks towards the ocean floor, it is further cooled by the surrounding rocks and sediments, resulting in the low temperatures found at these depths.

At the Equatorial Ocean Basins,sea Surface Temperatures May Reach 30°C