OCEANOGRAPHYThe Study of the Oceans

Main Parts to Oceanography:

Chemical – Elements and Chemical Reactions

Biological – Living Organisms Physical – Energy and Motions of

Seawater Geological – Sediments and

Topography

Activity: Globe Toss

Data:

Analysis:

How much of the earth’s surface makes up the oceans? Oceans cover 71 % of the Earth’s

surface. 29% is land

World Ocean Could a ship attempting to travel

through all oceans do so without being stopped? What about ice?

The waters beneath the ice do connect the ocean basins.

All oceans of the world are connected. There are no natural boundaries that

entirely separate the 4 ocean basins.

1955 – The United Nations established the boundaries of the oceans and continents.

Why study the ocean?

Last Frontier Countries divide oceans near their

land Oil and food shortages Source of rain and snow for rivers Influence climate

Five Oceans of the World In order from Largest Smallest:

Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Southern Ocean Arctic Ocean

Pacific Ocean Water Features:

52% of the world’s ocean water Deepest and largest basin

Land Features: Ring of Fire Mountains around basins (saucer-like

depressions of the ocean floor) Least affected by continents Many islands, most formed by volcanoes Deepest Trench – Marianas (7 miles) Large mid-ocean ridge down the east side of

the basin

Marianas Trench Between

Japan and Australia

Challenger Deep = deepest part of world ocean

Atlantic Ocean

Water Features: Shallow basin, average 3,310 m deep 26% of world’s ocean water Broad continental margins Large rivers enter – Amazon and Congo

(25% of world’s fresh water flows from these rivers)

Land Features: Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs down the center

Part of the longest continuous mountain range in world- the Mid-Ocean Ridge

Indian Ocean

Water Features: 20% of world’s ocean water Mostly in southern hemisphere 2 sources of warm salt water – Red

Sea and Arabian Sea Currents change direction twice a

year due to Monsoon winds Land Feature:

Y - shaped ridge, called the Mid-Indian Ridge

Southern Ocean

Water Features: Noted for ferocious weather and high

waves Located between 60oS and the continent

of Antarctica Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows

clockwise around Antarctica and isolates surface waters

Land Features: Deepest point located in South Sandwich

Trench No well defined basin

Arctic Ocean

Water Features: 2% of world’s ocean water Circular in shape Mostly surrounded by land Most shallow Covered by ice most of the year

Land Features: 2 main basins