Oceans cover over 70 percent of our earth’s surface, making it the largest body of water on our planet. They are very important in regulating the earth’s climate and supporting biodiversity. The planet has one large ocean but according to oceanographers, the world is divided into four distinct regions, the Pacific, Atlantic, India, and Arctic Ocean.
The Five Majestic Oceans
The world’s oceans are not only just vast expanses of water and surfaces but are dynamic ecosystems with their characteristics.
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Ocean
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Characteristics
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Pacific Ocean
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- It stretches from the Arctic to the Antarctic and is one of the deepest and largest ocean
- It is bounded by Asia and Oceania in the West and America in the east.
- It stretches from the Bering Strait to 60°S latitude through more than 120° of latitude.
- It serves as a vital trade route and harbors diverse marine life.
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Atlantic Ocean
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- The Atlantic Ocean, the second-largest ocean on Earth, covers approximately 20% of the planet’s surface area, extending over 41 million square miles.
- It is bordered by America in the West, Europe, and Africa in the East, the Arctic Ocean in the North, and the Southern Ocean in the South.
- Scientists divide the Atlantic Ocean into two basins, the North Atlantic Basin and the South Atlantic Basin.
- The Atlantic Ocean is renowned for its high ocean currents, for eg – the Gulf Stream.
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Indian Ocean
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- The Indian Ocean, the third-largest ocean on Earth, covers approximately 20% of the planet’s water surface, encompassing an area of over 27 million square miles.
- It is surrounded by Africa in the West, Asia in the North, and Australia in the East. This ocean is named the Indian Ocean because of its proximity to India.
- The Indian Ocean is a vast theater, stretching from the Strait of Malacca and the western coast of Australia in the East to the Mozambique Channel in the West.
- It encompasses the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea in the North, all the way down to the southern Indian Ocean.
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Southern Ocean
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- The Southern Ocean sometimes referred to as the Antarctic Ocean, encircles Antarctica, extending from the continent’s icy shores to the 60th parallel south.
- The Southern Ocean remains one of the most unexplored regions in the world.
- It was formed around 34 million years ago when Antarctica and South America drifted apart, creating the Drake Passage. This makes it the youngest ocean basin in the world.
- Around the northern limit of the Southern Ocean, there is a natural, biological boundary called the Atlantic Convergence or Polar Front.
- At the heart of the Southern Ocean lies the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), a powerful oceanic current that flows clockwise around Antarctica, connecting the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans
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Arctic Ocean
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- The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world’s oceans which is surrounded by the northernmost reaches of North America, Europe, and Asia.
- It is centered approximately on the North Pole.
- The other name of the Arctic Ocean is the Northern Ocean.
- Despite its harsh climatic conditions, it is home to a diverse array of wildlife, from polar bears to seals and the Arctic seabirds.
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Bodies of Water
About 71% of the earth’s surface is covered with water. Bodies of water are stagnant or moving water accumulations on the earth’s surface. They come in various sizes and shapes ranging from small ponds to vast oceans.
In this particular article, we will focus on its types, characteristics, and importance along with some examples.