Warm water is less dense than cold water. Based on this information

and the map provided, it could be predicted that, as a general trend,

ocean water will-?

it could be predicted that, as a general trend, ocean water will rise at the equator.

Explanation:

As we can infer from the question, hot water has more volume as compared to the cold water. This is because density is inversely proportional to volume.

As the poles are colder regions, hence the water present there will be cold. Equator in an imaginary line in the middle of the Earth and is generally warmer than the poles. Hence, the water will be warm here.

As the volume of the water is more near the Equator, hence the surface level will be more here as compared to the poles.