What is a convection cell?

A convection cell is a pattern of fluid motion in which heated fluid rises, cools, and then sinks again, creating a circular motion. This process is driven by the difference in temperature and density of the fluid. Convection cells commonly occur in the Earth's atmosphere and in bodies of water, such as oceans and lakes.

One well-known example of a convection cell is the Hadley cell, which is a large-scale atmospheric convection cell that dominates the tropical and subtropical regions of the Earth. It plays a key role in the global circulation of heat and moisture, influencing weather patterns and climate.

Convection cells can also be found in the Earth's mantle, where hot magma rises from the core, cools near the surface, and then sinks back down to be reheated. This process is responsible for driving plate tectonics and creating geological features such as volcanoes and earthquakes.

Overall, convection cells are a fundamental mechanism for transferring heat and energy within fluid systems, both on the Earth and in other natural processes.