The Seven Seas include the Arctic, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans. There are several ways of dividing the ocean into different zones, but most experts agree on a five layer model: the epipelagic, the mesopelagic, the bathypelagic, the abyssopelagic, and the hadalpelagic zones. Sea level is measured by two main methods: tide gauges and satellite altimeters. It is defined only by ocean currents. Oceans and Seas of the World. They cover more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and hold in excess of 300 million cubic miles of water. The oceans are among our biggest resource for life on earth, and also our biggest dumping grounds. While there is one global ocean, experts generally divide it up into five major interconnected basins: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, the Southern, and the Arctic. 3. Learn more about life in the sea and the challenges facing our oceans. All oceans and seas contain an epipelagic zone as it extends from the surface down to 200 meters. The terms oceans and seas are often used interchangeably since they almost mean the same thing. Seas, on the other hand, are typically small areas of an ocean that are partially enclosed by land. 29,000 rubber ducks were lost at sea in 1992, and are still being found, revolutionizing mankind’s knowledge of ocean science – Source 7. Oceans are the storehouses of water nature uses to run the water cycle. Description Oceans, seas and coastal areas form an integrated and essential component of the Earth’s ecosystem and are critical to sustainable development. While there is only one global ocean, the seas are usually divided into the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic Oceans. It is so large that only five percent has been explored. Pacific Ocean is the largest among all the five oceans of the world . Oceans account for nearly all of that surface area, but there are also many inland seas and lakes that are relatively large. Unbroken by any other continental landmass, the Southern Ocean’s narrowest constriction is the Drake Passage, 600 miles wide, between … Generally speaking, they are bodies of water that are partially enclosed or surrounded by land. Pacific Ocean. Author: NOAA A marginal sea is an area of water that is a "partially enclosed sea adjacent to or widely open to the open ocean" (Wikipedia.org). The depth and distance from shore strongly influence the quantity and biodiversity of the plants and animals that live there. Oceans are the largest bodies of water that cover about 72 percent of the Earth's surface. Due to this primary difference, seas are used more for commercial fishing, while oceans are utilized for mining other resources, such as oil and natural gases. In other words, they are the part of the ocean where water meets dry ground. He gathered the oceans into a single place; he put the deep water into storehouses. This list supports the teaching of science through the topic of Seas and Oceans. Oceans feed us, regulate our climate, and generate most of the oxygen we breathe. Seas and oceans stretch from pole to pole and reach around the globe. Eighty percent of all pollution in seas and oceans comes from land-based activities. The Sargasso Sea is an exception. Each ocean has its own range of temperatures and flow of currents, but water constantly flows from one to another. The Mediterranean is the largest sea in the world at 2.9 million square kilometers; even so, it is smaller than the Arctic Ocean. A song to help kids learn the 5 oceans in order from largest to smallest.Subscribe! All seas are oceans, and ultimately, the smaller seas join to make a large water body called the ocean. Typically, seas are partially enclosed by land. The exact origin of the phrase 'Seven Seas' is uncertain, although there are references in ancient literature that date back thousands of years. Even so, it is smaller than the Arctic Ocean. Come! Defining what is a sea and what is an ocean is not an exact science. The ocean is a large open body of salt water. As a matter of fact, there are a number of seas in the world. Connected to the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean is the largest sea in the world at 2.9 million square kilometers. Oceans, which are typically far deeper and vast, host more basic life forms like plankton and shrimp. The area that is now the Mediterranean Sea was once dry, but about 5 million years ago the Atlantic Ocean poured through the Strait of Gibraltar at a rate 1000 times that of the Amazon, filling the Mediterranean Sea in about 2 years. They both vary in size, depth, and diversity. The origin of the phrase 'Seven Seas' traces back back to ancient times. Experts estimate that there are approximately one million species of animals living in the ocean; however, they are not evenly spread out across the globe. Greatest Depths in the Ocean. We live on a blue planet, with oceans and seas covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface. It is situated on … There are several notable exceptions, however, of seas that are completely landlocked. Last updated: 11/05/20 Answer: The Timor Sea is an arm of the Indian Ocean that separates Indonesia from Australia. Distribution of Salinity: The average salinity in the oceans and the seas is 35%o but it spatially and temporally varies in different oceans, seas, and lakes. The Indian Ocean is most known for causing the monsoonal weather patterns that dominate much of Southeast Asia and for being an important chokepoint throughout history. World: Continents and Oceans - Map Quiz Game: There are seven continents and five oceans on the planet. Oceans account for nearly all of that surface area, but there are also many inland seas and lakes that are relatively large. Located solely in the north polar region, the Arctic clocks in last at fifteen million; that is more than a 150 million square kilometer difference with the Pacific. Seas are found on the margins of the ocean and are partially enclosed by land. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2020 worldatlas.com. Africa, the world's second-largest continent, is bounded by the Atlantic, Indian and Southern oceans, as well as by the Red and Mediterranean seas. The largest ocean by far is the Pacific Ocean, which covers the area west of North America and east of Asia. The words “ocean” and “sea” are often used to mean the same thing, but this is technically incorrect. 5. Question: Which sea separates Indonesia from Australia? An ocean is a body of water that composes much of a planet's hydrosphere. D eclarations that the ocean is dying have become commonplace. You may well be familiar with the phrase, "The Seven Seas", well things have moved on a bit since those days and there are in fact closer to a hundred. It is the Sargasso Sea (also known as the North Atlantic Gyre). In terms of land area, Asia is by far the largest continent, and the Oceania region is the smallest. While there is technically one global ocean, experts generally divide it up into five major interconnected basins: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, the Southern, and the Arctic. Such factors include temperature, depth, and distance from land. How to cite this article, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Following the colonization of the Americas, the seven seas changed again to include different waters such as the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. 4. For that reason, the Earth is often said to have seven seas. PACIFIC OCEAN GYRES MAP - The surface of the planet is approximately 71% water in five oceans, including the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Southern. He gathered the oceans into a single place; he put the deep water into storehouses. World: Oceans, Seas and Lakes - Map Quiz Game: Approximately 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. For example, the Caspian Sea is considered the world’s largest lake, even though it is classified as a sea. Seas are somewhat harder to define. These seas are not concrete, but rather change over time and place. The continent straddles the equator and sits between the landforms of southern Europe and Asia, giving it a complex coastal geography and a wide range of sea conditions. Typically, seas are partially enclosed by land. Fishing is the principal livelihood for over 200 million people and provides the main source of protein for more than a billion. Typically, seas are partially enclosed by land. Despite the massive size of the five ocean basins, they vary drastically in size. Oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface, and contain 97 percent of the planet's water. Healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters are vital for our societies and the future of our planet. THE OCEANS The Earth's oceans are all connected to one another. Therefore, all seas are found in areas where the ocean and land meet. More than 90 percent of the planet’s living biomass is found in the oceans. Africa, the world's second-largest continent, is bounded by the Atlantic, Indian and Southern oceans, as well as by the Red and Mediterranean seas. The difference between sea and ocean lies both in size and proximity to land. • As a matter of fact, there are a number of seas in the world whereas there are only five oceans in the world. The Ocean also borders several marginal seas. The world's oceans conceal a vast underwater landscape of submerged mountain ranges, continental shelves, and sprawling trenches. The importance of healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters. Irish Sea 4. Area. Psalm 95:5-6 The sea that he made belongs to him, along with the dry land that his hands formed. Caribbean Sea, suboceanic basin of the western Atlantic Ocean, lying between latitudes 9 and 22 degrees N and longitudes 89 and 60 degrees W. It is approximately 1,063,000 square miles (2,753,000 square km) in extent. Environment. How are they similar, and more importantly, how are they different? Even though seas are generally much shallower than oceans, the Caribbean Sea is significantly deeper than the average depth of the ocean. Humans rely on the oceans for their important natural resources. Fish and other aquatic animals tend to thrive in seas because they are friendlier environments. They also serve as the foundation for much of the world’s economy, supporting sectors from tourism to fisheries to international shipping. Here are 30 Interesting Facts About Seas and Oceans. Seas are generally much shallower than oceans, just as they are smaller. The largest sea in the world is the Mediterranean Sea and it is one-fourth of the world’s smallest ocean, the Arctic Ocean. What, then, makes these bodies of water what they are? Oceans, seas and marine resources are increasingly threatened, degraded or destroyed by human activities, reducing their ability to provide crucial ecosystem services. Oceans are not part of any sea, but all the seas are part of the oceans. 4. The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean covering an area of 64,186,000 square miles and the Mediterranean Sea is the largest sea with an area of 1,144,800 square miles. Similarly, it is hard to nail down an average size for our global seas as they come in all shapes and sizes. We read headlines almost daily telling us that the oceans are choked with plastic, overfished, and rapidly acidifying. Smaller ocean regions such as the Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the Bay of Bengal are called seas, gulfs, and bays. Not only do the oceans provide evaporated water to the water cycle, they also allow water to move all around the globe as ocean currents. World: Oceans, Seas and Lakes - Map Quiz Game: Approximately 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. RELAX24 NOW ON SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/artist/4tjVuxDlGJOr5jPGxsEEULRumbling Thunder and Rain 1 - 180 minutes! Oceans. Students will use map skills to name and locate the world’s oceans and learn about major marine landmarks, from the deepest point to the biggest tide and many places in between. The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, and it is nearly two times larger than the second largest. Denmark Strait 3. Ancient Greeks considered the Aegean and Adriatic to be a part of this seven, whereas Medieval European literature recognizes such seas as the Baltic and Arabian. Answer: The Arctic Ocean is by far the smallest of the Earth’s oceans, having only a little more than one-sixth the area of the next largest, the Indian Ocean. The next largest ocean is the Atlantic Ocean, which is found to the east of North America and the west of both Europe and Africa. Seas are smaller than oceans and are usually located where the land and ocean meet. 2. Other oceans include the Arctic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean. Where is it coming from? They are a source of healthy food, contributing 16% of the animal protein we eat. Learn more about life in the sea and the challenges facing our oceans. Other big seas include the Caribbean, the South China Sea, and the Bering Sea in the Pacific. The sea also controls the climates of the earth through the process of evaporation and condensation. This online map is a great way to learn the locations of the world’s oceans, seas and lakes. In terms of geography, seas are smaller than oceans and are usually located where the land and ocean meet. The five oceans are Arctic, Antarctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Past and future sea level rise at specific locations on land may be more or less than the global average due to local factors: ground settling, upstream flood control, erosion, regional ocean currents, and whether the land is still rebounding from the compressive weight of Ice Age glaciers. There are three main ways the plastic we use every day ends up in the oceans. Once in the ocean, plastic decomposes very slowly, breaking down in to tiny pieces known as micro plastics that can be incredibly damaging to sea life. It covers roughly 71 percent of the Earth’s total surface and contains 97 percent of all its water. Oceans are a continuous stream of water that has just been divided by regions while seas are separate. 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