In 2000, scientists were able to prove that there is a fifth of the oceans. It is called the Southern Ocean and includes the southern parts of all those oceans, except the Arctic, which wash the coast of Antarctica. This is one of the most unpredictable parts of the oceans. The Southern Ocean is characterized by variable weather, strong winds, cyclones.
The southern ocean is considered the youngest on the planet. It is located in the southern hemisphere and is adjacent to other oceans. The waters of the Southern Ocean are washed only by one mainland - Antarctica.
The story of the discovery of the Southern Ocean
Interest in the Southern Ocean arose a very long time ago. They first tried to explore it in the XVIII century, but travelers were stopped by large-scale ice accumulations - the technique of that time did not allow to overcome this obstacle. But on the map he appeared even earlier, in 1650.
South ocean
English and Norwegian whalers visited polar Antarctica in the 19th century, and in the 20th century the Southern Ocean became a place for whaling and research. The International Geographic Organization singled out the Southern Ocean in 2000, combining the waters of the southern regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. And although the Southern Ocean has only conditional boundaries (this is due to the fact that there are no islands and continents in its southern part), its existence has long been proven, although the decision of the hydrological organization has not been legalized.
Characteristics of the Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean covers an area of more than 20 million square meters. m. In the south, it borders the coast of the southern polar continent, in the west and east it does not have clearly defined boundaries. The deepest part of the ocean is the South Sandwich Trench (Meteor Basin). Its maximum depth is 8428 m, and the average is 3503 m. Near the coast of Antarctica there are 14 marginal seas that make up the ocean: Somov, Dürville, Mawson, the Commonwealth, Cosmonauts, King Haakon VII, Riser-Larsen, Lazarev, Davis, Amundsen , Ross, Bellingshausen, Scotch and Weddell.
The main feature of the Southern Ocean is the change in its conditional geographical boundaries in time and space in connection with the interseasonal and interannual changes in the position of the Antarctic convergence lines. Another feature of the ocean is a large number of icebergs (scientists record more than 200 thousand annually).
Climate of the Southern Ocean
The coast of the Southern Ocean is an area where severe elements reign. Above the water, a marine climate is predominantly observed, while on the coast it is closer to the Antarctic. Throughout the year it is cloudy, windy and cold. Snow falls in any season.
Closer to the Arctic Circle, the most powerful winds on the planet are formed. A large temperature difference contributes to frequent storms. In winter, the air temperature can drop to 65 degrees below zero. Scientists classify the atmosphere over the Southern Ocean as environmentally friendly.
Such weather conditions are caused by several factors: the proximity of Antarctica, the absence of warm currents, the constant presence of ice cover. A zone of high pressure is constantly formed above the land, and a zone of low pressure around it.
Interesting facts about the Southern Ocean
- The Southern Ocean used to be called the Southern Arctic Ocean (by analogy with the Arctic Ocean). However, this name did not take root.
- For the first time, the Southern Ocean was mentioned at the end of the 17th century, and on maps it appeared in the 18th century. However, it was later decided to abandon the allocation of the fifth ocean of the world. So, in the middle of the last century, the existence of only four oceans was recognized. But in 2000, this issue was considered again, as a result of which the allocation of the Southern Ocean was deemed reasonable.
The oceans are huge, many of its mysteries have not yet been solved, and who knows, maybe you will guess some of them?