What seas are included in the southern ocean. Seas around Antarctica - Southern Ocean

Detailed information about the country: Southern Ocean. Photos, maps, population, cities, economy, climate, statistics compiled by the US CIA / World factbook

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The most little-studied and, perhaps, the most interesting from the point of view of science is the Southern or Antarctic Ocean. Until 2000, the concept of the "Southern Ocean" was conditional - this is how oceanologists called the part of the world ocean, consisting of the southern parts of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans and washing the coast of Antarctica.

The study of the specifics of this part of the world ocean, associated with the peculiarity of the hydrological regime of the Antarctic waters between the convergence zone and the northern coasts of Antarctica, which are united by the circumpolar current, the uniqueness of the bottom shelf, animal and flora, as well as its special influence on the planet's climate, gave scientists reason to single out in 2000 the fifth Southern or Antarctic Ocean.

The boundary of the Southern Ocean runs along the 60th parallel of south latitude and corresponds to the northern boundary of the Antarctic convergence zone and the uniqueness of the bottom topography. Its area is 20,327 thousand square meters. km. and it is the fourth largest ocean on the globe. Its water part includes the Amundsen, Bellingshausen, Ross, Weddel-la seas, part of the Drake Passage, a small part of the Scottish Sea and others. bodies of water Antarctica. The relief of the Southern Ocean for the most part has a depth of 4,000 to 5,000 m with minor areas of shallow water. Its continental shelf is extremely deep, narrow and lies at depths from 400 to 800 m. The deepest point of the Antarctic Ocean is the southern tip of the Sandwich Basin - 7,235 m.

The largest ocean current in the world, which affects the formation and change of climate throughout the earth, is the Antarctic Polar Current. It moves east around Antarctica and carries 130 million cubic meters of water per second. This figure is a hundred times greater than the amount of water carried by all the rivers of the globe. The climate of the Southern Ocean is distinguished by its severity.

Fashionable direction of the 20-21 centuries - tours to Antarctica

Water temperature in surface layers ocean changes from +10?С to -2?С. Due to the strong temperature contrast between the area of ​​ice and the open ocean, cyclonic storms are almost constantly observed here, which move around Antarctica in an easterly direction. Harsh cold winds here blow much stronger than anywhere else on the planet. AT winter time The Southern Ocean freezes up to 65 degrees south in the Pacific and 55 degrees in the Atlantic, with surface temperatures well below freezing.

The Roaring Forties…

Antarctic pack ice covers an average area from a low of 2.6 million square kilometers in March to a maximum of 18.8 million square kilometers in September, increasing about sevenfold during this time. They represent a vast store of the purest fresh water on the planet. Fragments of ice shelves and continental glaciers form icebergs and floating ice. Individual Antarctic icebergs can exist for 10 or more years.

Despite the harsh climatic conditions southern ocean, living life in Antarctic waters is rich and distinctive. The waters of the southern ocean are extremely saturated with phyto- and zooplankton, represented primarily by krill. Krill is the basis of nutrition for many species of fish, cetaceans, penguins, squids, sponges, echinoderms, seals and other animals. Among the mammals that have adapted to living in such harsh conditions, penguins, fur seals, and seals should be noted. The waters of the Southern Ocean are a favorite habitat for many species of whales, such as blue whale, fin whale, sei whale, humpback. Extremely rich in species diversity valuable breeds oceanic fish, which are represented by endemic families of notothenia and white-blooded fish.

The non-vertebrate animals that live in the South Ocean waters are very peculiar. Of particular interest are huge jellyfish, reaching a weight of up to 150 kilograms. Penguins are a symbol of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. These peculiar birds with a vertical body position are represented by 17 species. They lead a semi-terrestrial lifestyle, feed on small crustaceans and fish in the water and do not know how to fly at all like their relatives.

The Southern Ocean, due to the very harsh climate, is still little studied and is of great interest for science and scientific discoveries. The secrets kept in the waters of the Southern Ocean will amaze humanity with their discoveries and sensations more than once.

Representatives of the older generation in geography lessons at school studied 4 oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic. However, not so long ago, part of the educational community identified the fifth ocean - the South. The International Hydrographic Association has agreed to allocate this ocean since 2000, but so far this decision has not been recognized by everyone.

What is the Southern Ocean? Who opened it and under what circumstances? Where is he located? What shores does it wash and what currents circulate in it? The answers to these and many other questions are waiting for you in the article.

History of Fifth Ocean Exploration

It is in the 21st century that there are no unexplored places left on the world map for a person. Technical progress allowed not only to see previously inaccessible territories on the satellite image, but also to get there relatively comfortably.

During the period new history there were no space satellites or powerful icebreakers capable of breaking through the layer permafrost, no engines internal combustion. Man had only his own physical strength and flexibility of mind at his disposal. It is not surprising that the first mention of the Southern Ocean is theoretical.

The first mention of the ocean

Back in the 17th century, in 1650, the Dutch explorer-geographer Verenius announced the existence of a continent in the south, as yet unexplored, pole of the Earth, washed by the waters of the ocean. The idea was originally expressed in the form of a theory, since humanity was unable to unambiguously confirm or refute it.

"Random" discoveries

Like many geographical discoveries, the first "swims" towards the South Pole occurred by accident. Thus, Dirk Geeritz's ship was caught in a storm and strayed off course, sailing past 64 degrees south latitude and stumbling into the South Orkney Islands. South Georgia, Bouvet Island, and Kargelan Island were explored in a similar way.

First expeditions to the South Pole

In the 18th century, active exploration of this region was carried out by maritime powers. Until that time, a purposeful study of the pole was not carried out.

One of the first serious expeditions to the southern part the globe historians call the expedition of the Englishman Cook, who passed the Arctic Circle at 37 degrees east longitude. Buried in impenetrable ice fields, having spent significant forces to overcome them, Cook had to deploy his ships. In the future, he wrote a description of the Southern Ocean so colorfully that the next daredevil went to storm the South Pole only at the beginning of the 19th century.

Bellingshausen expedition

In the early 1830s, the Russian explorer Bellingshausen circumnavigated the South Pole for the first time in history. At the same time, the navigator discovered the island of Peter I and Alexander I Land. The fact that he traveled on light maneuverable ships that were not at all designed to deal with ice gives special weight to the traveler's merit.

Expedition of Dumont-Derville

The campaign of the French in 1837 was crowned with the discovery of Louis-Philippe Land. The expedition also discovered Adélie Land and the Clari Coast. The expedition was complicated by the fact that the Dumont-Derville ships were "captured" by the ice, from which they had to be rescued with the help of ropes and human strength.

American expeditions

A significant contribution to the study of the Southern Ocean was made by the then "young" United States of America. During the expedition of 1839, a group of ships led by Villis tried to pass from the Archipelago of Tierra del Fuego to the south, but ran into ice barriers and turned around.

In 1840, an expedition led by Wilkes discovered part of the territory of East Antarctica, which later became known as Wilkes Land.

Where is the Southern Ocean located?

Geographers call the southern part of the World Ocean, consisting of the most southern parts of the Indian, Pacific, Atlantic. The waters of the Southern Ocean wash Antarctica on all sides. The fifth ocean does not have such clear island boundaries as the other four.

To date, it is customary to limit the boundaries of the Southern Ocean to the 60th parallel of south latitude - an imaginary line that envelops the southern hemisphere of the Earth.

The problem of determining the actual boundaries is quite relevant today. The researchers tried to designate the boundaries of the fifth ocean using the currents of the Southern Ocean. This attempt was unsuccessful, as the currents gradually change their trajectory. It also turned out to be problematic to establish the island boundaries of the "new" ocean. Thus, the unequivocal answer to the question of where the Southern Ocean is located is: beyond the 60th parallel of south latitude.

Some interesting facts

The deepest point of the fifth ocean is almost 8300 meters (South Sandwich Trench). The average depth is 3300 meters. The length of the ocean coast reaches 18 thousand kilometers.

The length of the Southern Ocean from north to south is determined very conditionally, since there are no reference points from which to count. Until now, geographers do not have a common opinion about the boundaries of the ocean.

What seas does the fifth ocean consist of?

The oceans are the largest hydrographic features in modern geography. Each consists of several seas adjacent to land or expressed using the relief of the Earth, which is under water.

Consider the ocean. To date, geographers identify 20 seas that are part of the "new" ocean. Five of them were discovered by Russian and Soviet researchers.

It should be noted that geographers rarely single out the Sea of ​​King Haakon VII because of the adjacent territories with the Lazarev Sea. However, the Norwegian side, which opened it, insists on separating the Sea of ​​King Haakon VII and does not recognize the borders of the Lazarev Sea.

Currents of the Southern Ocean

The main current characteristic of the ocean is the Antarctic Current - the most powerful flow of water in the oceans. Geographers call it Circular because it flows around the mainland - Antarctica. This is the only current that crosses absolutely all the meridians of the globe. Another, more romantic name is the current of the West Winds. It carries its waters between the subtropical zone and the Antarctic zone. If expressed in degrees, then it flows within the 34-50th degrees of south latitude.

Speaking of the course of the West Winds, it is impossible not to note that interesting fact that it is divided almost along its entire length into two symmetrical streams located from the northern and southern edges of the current. In these streams, a fairly high speed is recorded - up to 42 centimeters per second. Between them, the current is weaker, moderate. Thanks to this phenomenon, enclosing Antarctica in a continuous ring, the Antarctic waters cannot leave their circulation. This conditional band is called the Antarctic Convergence.

In addition, there is another zone of water circulation in the ocean. It is located at 62-64 degrees south latitude. Here, the speed of the currents is noticeably weaker than in the Antarctic Convergence, and is up to 6 centimeters per second. The currents of this area are mainly directed to the east.

Currents near Antarctica make it possible to talk about the circulation of water around the mainland in the opposite direction - to the west. However, this theory has not been proven to date. main reason this is served by periodic changes in currents that occur quite often.

An interesting feature of the water circulation in the fifth ocean, which distinguishes it from other hydrographic objects of this category, is the depth of the water circulation. We are talking about the fact that the current in the Southern Ocean moves water masses not only on the surface, but also to the very bottom. This phenomenon is explained by the presence of special gradient currents, exciting and deep waters. In addition, the density and uniformity of water in the "new" ocean is higher than in others.

Temperature regime of the ocean

The temperature range on the mainland and in the ocean surrounding it is very wide. The most heat, recorded in Antarctica, was 6.5 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature is minus 88.2 degrees.

As for the average ocean temperature, it ranges from minus 2 degrees to 10 degrees Celsius.

Most low temperatures cover Antarctica in August, and the highest - in January.

Interestingly, during the day the temperature in Antarctica is lower than at night. This phenomenon is still unresolved.

The climate of the Southern Ocean is clearly characterized by the level of glaciation of the mainland. Scientists have found that the glaciation of the mainland is slowly, but beginning to decrease. This suggests that the average air temperature in Antarctica and the fifth ocean is increasing. True, in this case we are talking about the so-called global warming, which covers not only the South Pole, but the entire Earth. The main proof of this theory is the parallel decrease in glaciation at the North Pole.

icebergs

gradual melting Antarctic ice leads to the appearance of icebergs - huge pieces of ice that break off the mainland and set sail on the oceans. The largest of them can measure hundreds of meters and cause great trouble to ships that meet on their way. The "lifespan" of such icebergs drifting in the ocean can be up to 16 years. This fact significantly increases the risk of damage to the ship when sailing in these latitudes.

Some experiencing countries are trying to use giant icebergs for its mining. To do this, icebergs are caught and towed to specially equipped places for the extraction of fresh water.

Ocean dwellers

Despite the difficult climatic conditions, the ocean area is quite densely populated by fauna.

The most prominent representatives of the animal world of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are penguins. These flightless sea ​​birds feed in waters rich in plankton and small fish.

Of the other birds, petrels and skuas are the most common.

The Southern Ocean is a habitat for many species of whales. The humpback whale, blue whale and other species live here. Seals are also common at the South Pole.

The Southern Ocean is also referred to as the Antarctic Ocean. Its waters surround Antarctica and it is the fourth largest of the world's five oceans.

The Southern Ocean covers an area of ​​about 35 million square kilometers. The boundaries of the Southern Ocean are not specifically defined. There is a lot of controversy over whether the Southern Ocean even exists.


Some geographers believe that the waters of the Southern Ocean are really only extensions of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans.

The southern ocean was originally searched for because they believed in the existence of a continent that balances the northern continents, the so-called Terra Australis.

The Southern Ocean spans the South Pole and contains 14 seas

During winter, half of the Southern Ocean is covered with icebergs and ice. Some ice and icebergs move away from the Antarctic ice sheet and float in the waters of the Southern Ocean.

The world's largest penguin species, the emperor penguin, lives on the ice of the Southern Ocean and on the continent of Antarctica.

Wandering albatrosses also make their home in the Southern Ocean.

Antarctica is home to 90% of the world's ice reserves. This continent is windy, dry and the coldest continent in the world. Antarctica is considered a desert due to the fact that there is very little moisture. The Sahara Desert receives more rainfall than Antarctica. Most of its moisture falls in the form of snow.

The summer season in the Southern Ocean lasts from October to February, winter season runs from March to September.

Sea water under the ice surface has a temperature of -2°C to +10°C.
Krill, tiny shrimp, live in ice water under the ice in Antarctica.
Military operations in the Southern Ocean are limited, in accordance with the scientific research treaty.
The first child born on the Antarctic mainland was Emilio Marcos de Palma on January 7th, 1978. He was also the first in history to be born this far south.
In 1953, the Southern Ocean was marked by the boundaries of the oceans and seas, marked by the boundaries of the world's main waters.
In 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization designated the Southern Ocean as its own ocean.

• The deepest part of the Southern Ocean is the southern end of the Sandwich Trench South, which is 23,737 feet deep.
• The average depth of the Southern Ocean is 13,100 to 16,400 feet.

The South Pole was not conquered by man until 1911.

Temperatures can drop even below -100 degrees Fahrenheit here. The coldest temperature recorded on Earth was recorded in Antarctica. It was -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit. It is believed that if the ice sheet in the Southern Ocean melts, then the oceans around the world will grow by as much as 65 meters.