Which outcome occurs when excessive freshwater runoff near coastlines reduces salinity gradients?

💡 Explanation

Decreased salinity reduces density gradients limiting the density-driven *thermohaline circulation* and thus *upwelling*, because upwelling driven by the sinking of dense water is lessened; therefore, the upwelling weakens, rather than increased stability which requires greater gradients.

• Which outcome is most likely when accumulated tectonic stress exceeds the friction along a transform fault boundary?
• Which feedback results when thermokarst lake permafrost thaws?
• Which mass wasting outcome accelerates when permafrost degradation increases the active layer thickness?
• Which outcome occurs when subduction beneath an island arc increases sediment influx?
• Which mechanism increases regolith clay content from granite?
• Which mechanism amplifies stream channel incision when tectonic uplift interacts with variable bedrock resistance?