Geography
Oceans on The Earth
More Articles
- Oceans On The Earth
- Introduction - Geography
- The Solar System & Universe
- Continents of the World
- Biosphere: Lithosphere, Hydrospher
- Time & Zones (Latitude and Longitude)
- Coriolis & Different Effect
- Atmosphere
- Winds, Clouds, Rainfall, Islands & Rocks
- Earthquakes and Volcanoes
- Various Landforms – Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Glaciers, Rivers, Groundwater etc. / India Physical Features
- Soil Resources of the Indian Sub-continent
- Agriculture in India
- Minerals in India
- Major Industries of India
- India State of Forest Report 2019
- The Drainage System of India
- Transport in India (Road, Rail, Air)
- India Facts and Figures- States, UTs and their Capitals
- Census - Population, Literacy, Sex Ratio
- Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in India
- RAMSAR Wetland Sites
- Important Irrigation and Power Projects
- Mount Everest
- Indian Subcontinent, Union Territories & Border with Neighboring Countries
- Project Tiger & Tiger Reserves
- Cities at the Bank of River
- Wonders of the World - Ancient, Medieval, New & Others
- Some Important Industries
- Famous Sites of India & World
- Major Straits of the World that (Connect & Separate)
- Important Discoveries (World)
- Major Island, Canals, Dams & Deserts of the World
- Aquatic Area, Coastline, Boundary Lines & Geographical Epithets
- Some Important Tribes and their Homeland (World)
- Some Important Places in the World
- Major Waterfalls and Lakes of India & World
- Country, Capital and Currency
- Glossary of Geographical Terms
- Miscellaneous - Geography
Oceans on The Earth
- There are four oceans. In order of their size, they are: Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Arctic Ocean.
Pacific Ocean
- The explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who circumnavigated the Earth, named the ocean 'Pacific' meaning calm or peaceful.
- The Pacific Ocean (Area : 16,62,40,000 sq. km) is the largest ocean of the world.
- It is the deepest ocean with an average depth of 4,280 m (14,040 feet).
- According to Encydopaedia Britannica the Mariana Trench is the world's deepest trench with a depth of 11,034 metres (36,201 feet).
- Most of the islands of this ocean are of volcanic or coral origin.
Atlantic Ocean
- The Atlantic Ocean, according to Encydopedia Britanica, (Area : 8,24,40,000 sq. km without its dependent seas and 10,64,60,000sq. km. with them)is the second largest ocean in the world. Average depth: 3,300 metres.
- Its name is derived from Atlas, a Titan (giant) in Greek mythology.
- The Atlantic Ocean, body of salt water covering one fifth of the earth surface has the longest coastline.
- The Atlantic Ocean is the busiest ocean for trade and commerce since its shipping routes connect the two most industrialized regions, namely Western Europe and N.E. United States of America.
- The Atlantic Ocean was formed millions of years ago when a rift opened up in the Gondwanaland and the continents of South America and Africa separated.
- The separation continues even today and the Atlantic Ocean is still widening.
- The continental islands of Newfoundland and British Isles are the major ones.
- Volcanic islands are fewer and they include those of Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico. Iceland is the largest island of volcanic origin.
Indian Ocean
- The Indian Ocean (Area: 73,440,000 sq. km, without its marginal seas) is the only ocean named after a country. Its average depth is 3,960 metres.
- The Indian Ocean is deeper than the Atlantic Ocean.
- It contains numerous continental islands, Madagascar and Sri Lanka are being the largest ones.
- Some of the islands of volcanic origin are those of Mauritius, Andaman andNicobar, Seychelles, Maldives and Lakshadweep are of coral origin.
South Indian Ocean
- Warm currents: 1. South Equatorial 2. Mozambique 3. Madagascar 4. Agulhas.
- Cool Currents: 1. Antarctic drift 2. West Australian currents.
Arctic Ocean
- The Arctic Ocean (Area: 1,40,90,000 sq. km) is the smallest of all the oceans. It lies within the Arctic Circle, hence the name Arctic Ocean. The North Pole lies in the middle of the Arctic Ocean.
- Most of the parts of Arctic Ocean remain frozen with thick ice for most of the days every year.
- It is the shallowest of all oceans, with an average depth of 987 metres.
- It has the least salinity of all the oceans. It has a salinity of 30 ppt.
Ocean Currents
- The flow of a large amount of water in a definite direction with a great intensity is known as Ocean Current.
- Ocean Currents are of two types-Hot and Cold.
Hot Currents
- The currents flowing from tropical zones of lower latitudes to higher temperate and sub polar zones are known as hot water currents.
Cold Currents
- The currents flowing from higher latitudes to lower latitudes are known as cold water currents.
- The only exception to the conduction of ocean currents is found in the Indian Ocean. The flow of currents changes here with a change in the direction of the Monsoon Winds. The hot currents flow towards cooler oceans and the cold currents flow towards the warmer oceans.
Pacific and Atlantic Ocean Currents
S. |
Current |
Nature |
1 |
North Equatorial Current |
Hot or Warm |
2 |
South Equatorial Current |
Warm |
3 |
Kuroshio Current |
Warm |
4 |
East Australian Current |
Warm |
5 |
North Pacific Drift |
Warm |
6 |
Humboldt or Peruvian Current |
Cold |
7 |
Alaska Current |
Warm |
8 |
Kuril or Oyashio or Okhotsk Current |
Cold |
9 |
Equatorial Counter Current |
Warm |
10 |
California Current |
Cold |
11 |
El Nino Current |
Warm |
12 |
Antarctica Circumpolar Current |
Cold |
13 |
Tsushima Current |
Warm |
14 |
Antilles Current' |
Warm |
15 |
Brazilian Current* |
Warm |
16 |
Florida Current |
Warm |
17 |
Labrador Current* |
Cold |
18 |
Gulf Stream |
Warm |
19 |
Canary Current |
Cold |
20 |
Norwegian Current |
Warm |
21 |
Benguela Current |
Cold |
22 |
Irminger Current |
Warm |
23 |
Antarctica Circumpolar Current |
Cold |
24 |
Falkland Current* |
Cold |
Indian Ocean Currents
S |
Current |
Nature |
1 |
North Equatorial Current |
Warm & Stable |
2 |
N-E Monsoon Current |
Cold & Unstable |
3 |
Mozambique Current |
Warm & Stable |
4 |
Somali Current |
Warm |
5 |
Agulhas Current |
Warm & Stable |
6 |
Western Australian Current |
Cold & Stable |
7 |
S-W Monsoon Current |
Warm & Unstable |
8 |
South Indian Ocean Current |
Cold |
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