The Southern Ocean, officially recognized as the 5th ocean of the Earth
- 2 years ago
On June 8, on the occasion of World Oceans Day.
the National Geographic Society (a scientific and educational organization that has been mapping the land, sea and sky since 1915) has mapped for the first time a 5th ocean : the Southern Ocean.
So far, the scientific community recognized only 4 oceans:
- The Arctic Ocean
- The Atlantic Ocean
- The Indian Ocean
- The Pacific Ocean
In fact, as early as 1936, the United Nations Hydrographic Organization had recognized the existence of this ocean.
"The Southern Ocean has long been recognized by scientists, but since there has never been an international agreement, we have never officially recognized it." Alex Tait, geographer at The National Geographic Society.
What are the characteristics of this ocean?
The Southern Ocean is home to unique and fragile marine ecosystems.
It measures 20 million km2, which is about 1/4 of the world ocean surface.
It absorbs 1/3 of the atmospheric carbon and heat from the atmosphere.
It is the ocean that transports the most of water (more than 140 m3 per second).
It is the ocean with the coldest air and whose glaciers are the bluest.
The Astral Ocean surrounds the majority of the waters of the Antarctic Ocean up to the 60th parallel south but excludes the Drake Passage and the Scotia Sea.
Unlike the other 4 other oceans, it is not bounded by the continents but by a circumpolar current Antarctic current.
It is the only ocean to touch three others and completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them, It is the only ocean to touch three others and completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them.
Goal of this recognition: raise awareness about the fragility of the environment in this part of the world .
particularly affected by global warming and industrial fishing.
the National Geographic Society (a scientific and educational organization that has been mapping the land, sea and sky since 1915) has mapped for the first time a 5th ocean : the Southern Ocean.
So far, the scientific community recognized only 4 oceans:
- The Arctic Ocean
- The Atlantic Ocean
- The Indian Ocean
- The Pacific Ocean
In fact, as early as 1936, the United Nations Hydrographic Organization had recognized the existence of this ocean.
"The Southern Ocean has long been recognized by scientists, but since there has never been an international agreement, we have never officially recognized it." Alex Tait, geographer at The National Geographic Society.
What are the characteristics of this ocean?
The Southern Ocean is home to unique and fragile marine ecosystems.
It measures 20 million km2, which is about 1/4 of the world ocean surface.
It absorbs 1/3 of the atmospheric carbon and heat from the atmosphere.
It is the ocean that transports the most of water (more than 140 m3 per second).
It is the ocean with the coldest air and whose glaciers are the bluest.
The Astral Ocean surrounds the majority of the waters of the Antarctic Ocean up to the 60th parallel south but excludes the Drake Passage and the Scotia Sea.
Unlike the other 4 other oceans, it is not bounded by the continents but by a circumpolar current Antarctic current.
It is the only ocean to touch three others and completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them, It is the only ocean to touch three others and completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them.
Goal of this recognition: raise awareness about the fragility of the environment in this part of the world .
particularly affected by global warming and industrial fishing.