Most of the water on Earth, which is almost 96%, is unfit for consumption, as it contains s alt. Such water is part of the oceans, seas and lakes. In scientific language, this is called the World Ocean. In terms of area on the planet, it occupies three-quarters of the entire surface, which is why our Earth is called the Blue Planet. In our article, you will learn about the existence of four oceans. We will tell you about them only the most interesting and useful.
A few words about the oceans
As you know from the elementary school course, there are four oceans on our planet. The Pacific Ocean has another name. It is called the Great, and our planet is washed by three more oceans: the Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Indian.
Thus, the World Ocean is a collection of water bodies just named. The area of thisgeographical feature is more than 350 million km2! Even on the scale of our planet, this is a huge space.
Parts of the world are separated precisely by the oceans. Each of them has its own properties and characteristics, as well as unique underwater flora and fauna, which vary depending on the climatic zone in which they are located. Also, the four oceans, which will be discussed below, have their own temperature regime, current and relief. If we look at the ocean map, we will see that they are interconnected. And remember, no ocean can be surrounded by land on 4 cardinal directions.
Who studies the oceans?
We are used to getting information about nature from geography textbooks. But a separate science called oceanology is engaged in a deeper and wider study of these geographical objects. It is she who studies the formation of the oceans, as well as various biological processes that occur under the waters of these "giants". In addition, science explores the interaction of the World Ocean with other parts of the biosphere.
What is all this for?
Specialists who study oceanic geographic features have set themselves several goals. First, they learned why the ocean is s alty. Secondly, they increase efficiency, and also ensure the safety of not only underwater, but also surface navigation. Thirdly, oceanologists optimize the use of minerals from the bottom of water bodies. Fourth, they strive to maintain biological balance in the oceanic environment. Fifth, these scientists are improving methodsweather forecasts.
Names of geographical features
The name of each ocean is assigned for a reason. Each name contains either historical background or the nature and characteristics of a particular territory. We invite you to find out what oceans exist. And also why they got such names. Consider this list from the simplest body of water.
Name - Indian Ocean
With its name, everything is clear. India is an ancient country. Its endless shores are washed by the waters named after this state.
Name - Arctic Ocean
One of the reasons that prompted to give such a name to a geographical object was the presence of a huge number of ice floes that float in its open spaces and, of course, its geographical location. However, oceanologists also call it the Arctic (translated from the ancient Greek language "arktikos" means "northern"). The borders of the Arctic Ocean pass through many states.
Name - Pacific Ocean
The waters of this giant were explored by the Spanish navigator Ferdinand Magellan. The nature of this geographical object is far from calm, but quite stormy, accompanied by tornadoes and storms. However, the Spaniard Magellan was very lucky! For a whole year he plowed the Pacific Ocean, and the front of the anticyclone with good weather constantly accompanied him. Ferdinand Magellan observed the calm, which prompted him to think that this ocean is actually calm and quiet.
Many years later, when the truth became obvious, no one thought of renaming this geographical feature. In 1756, the explorer and traveler Bayush decided to call this reservoir the Great, because it is the largest ocean in terms of area. Today, these two names are still relevant.
Name - Atlantic Ocean
The ancient Greek geographer and historian named Strabo became famous for his descriptions of this ocean. At one time he called it Western. A little later, scientists gave him the name of the Hesperid Sea. These facts are confirmed by documents that date back to 90 years before our time.
A few centuries later, namely in the 9th century AD, Arab geographers gave it the name Sea of Darkness. They called it another no less "beautiful" name, like the Sea of Gloom. This geographical object received such a terrible name because of the sand and dusty clouds that swept over its surface from the winds from the African continent.
The first time its modern name is recorded in the annals of 1507, when Christopher Columbus approached the shores of America. But it was fixed in geographical science only in 1650 in the works of the scientist Bernhard Waren.
What oceans exist?
The answer to this question seems simple. However, disputes and discussions have not ceased in the scientific circles of oceanologists for many years. The list of oceans familiar to us looks like this:
- Arctic
- Atlantic
- Indian
- Quiet
HoweverOceanologists put forward a theory about the existence of a fifth ocean called the South. And they believe that the waters of the Southern Ocean are a combination of the southern sides of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans that surround Antarctica. As proof, they cite arguments that it has a peculiar system of currents, which differs from expanses of water. But, nevertheless, not all scientists agree with this decision. Thus, the problem of dividing the World Ocean is still relevant. The nature and properties of the existing oceans are different, as they depend on many factors. We invite you to find out what oceans exist on our globe.
Pacific or Great Ocean
Across the waters of this giant there is a huge number of transport routes that connect Asia not only with North, but also with South America. It is noteworthy that the depths of this ocean floor contain almost half of the world's oil and natural gas reserves. They are actively mined in the shelf zones of America, China and Australia.
Have you guessed which is the largest ocean in terms of area? Of course, we are talking about the Pacific Ocean. Its basin occupied almost half of the world's sea area. It is equal to 178 million km2. It included 30 seas: the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Philippine, the Yellow, the Javanese, the Coral, the Bering and others. But they occupied only 18% of the entire area of the Great Ocean. It is worth noting that this geographical object is also the leader in terms of the number of islands. Their number is approximately 10 thousand. Kalimantan and NewGuinea is considered to be the largest islands of this ocean. Do you know where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet? This border runs along the southwestern coast of Alaska. Moves smoothly to the next object of our article.
Atlantic Ocean or Sea of Darkness
This body of water is considered the second largest on our planet, which is shown by the ocean map. Its water area is 94 km2. It consists of 13 seas that have a coastline. It is noteworthy that in the center of the Sea of Darkness (the Atlantic Ocean) there is the Sargasso - the fourteenth sea, which, unlike the others, has no shores. Ocean currents form its boundary. It is the Sargasso Sea that is the largest in the world.
Only the Atlantic Ocean has a large freshwater inflow. It is provided by large African, American and European rivers. As for the islands, the Atlantic Ocean is the opposite of the Pacific. There are very few of them in its water area. However, it is in its waters that Greenland is located, which is considered the largest island on our planet. But some oceanologists believe that Greenland belongs to the Arctic Ocean. What oceans still exist on Earth? We continue to study this issue and move on to the next giant of s alt water.
Indian Ocean
Interesting information about this reservoir will surprise readers even more. The Indian Ocean is the very first major geographical feature that became known not only to sailors, but also to explorers. In its bowels, he hid a huge coral reef complex. It is his waterkeep one of the secrets of mysterious phenomena on our planet. Oceanologists still cannot figure out why circles of the correct form appear on its surface from time to time, which glow. A group of researchers put forward a version that this glow is caused by plankton rising from the depths. However, why they form a perfect spherical shape remains a mystery.
The Indian Ocean on the map is located next to the island of Madagascar. Not far from this place there is a unique phenomenon in nature, such as an underwater waterfall.
We present to your attention some scientific facts about the Indian giant. First, its area is almost 80 km2. Secondly, it washes four continents. Thirdly, it included only 7 seas. Fourth, for the first time, an explorer named Vasco da Gama swam across the waters of the Indian Ocean.
Now you know where the Indian Ocean is on the map. And we are moving on. And let's move on to the study of the coldest body of water on the planet.
Arctic Ocean
As mentioned above, this geographical feature is considered not only the coldest, but also the smallest among the oceans. The area of its water area is equal to 13 thousand km2. Its bowels are also distinguished by shallow water. Only 1125 meters is the average depth of the ocean. It included only 10 seas, which is 3 more than the Indian. However, in terms of the number of islands, the "northern king" took second place. Its central part is covered with a layer of ice. And only in its southern regions there are not only floating ice floes, butand icebergs. In its open spaces, ice islands sometimes float, the thickness of which reaches 35 meters.
It was in the waters of the Arctic Ocean that the most famous shipwreck occurred. This is where the Titanic sank. It is noteworthy that the climate of this ocean is very severe. However, this does not prevent walruses, seals, whales, gulls, jellyfish and plankton from living here.
Now you know what oceans exist.
About the depths
We have got acquainted with four s alt reservoirs and their features. However, we have not yet talked about the depth of the oceans. Which one is the deepest? Let's deal with this problem together.
On the physical map of the ocean floor and oceans, it can be seen that the relief at the bottom of these geographical objects is as diverse as that of the continents. Under the thickness of s alty waters, hills, depressions, depressions are hidden, which resemble mountains. It is generally accepted that the average depth of these reservoirs is approximately 4 km. The deepest places in the oceans are depressions. The Pacific Ocean is considered the champion. It is in its bowels that the Mariana Trench or depression is hidden, the depth of which is almost 12 km!
In closing
Our article has come to an end. Agree that the World Ocean is a beautiful and unique phenomenon on Earth. We told you about the most amazing ocean on the planet. Now you know where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet, what is the name, and where is the deepest depression. But did you know who is the mostpoisonous sea creature? This is a blue-ringed octopus. This dangerous marine life lives in the Indian Ocean. However, we have not yet remembered the Bermuda Triangle. This is the most mysterious place on the planet, the place of which was found in the Atlantic Ocean.
So, we told you what oceans exist on the blue planet.
Save fresh water, because the oceans have not yet saved anyone from deadly thirst.
