Fig. 4: Results of the 3d simulation—temperature.

a Surface ocean temperature (°C) as a function of longitude and latitude for a 10 × 10° region, showing a highly turbulent flow. b, c Depth-longitude temperature (°C) sections near the top and bottom of the ocean at the equator, showing downward and upward convection plumes. At the equator, the local vertical (depth) direction is perpendicular to the Taylor columns, and the panels therefore demonstrate that convection does not necessarily occur along the Taylor columns. d Latitude-depth plots of zonal mean temperature (°C).