Geography

Oceans on The Earth

By Examguru / 06 Oct, 2023 / Download PDF

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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