OCEANS AND SEAS

Oceans and seas

        The largest body of water on the surface of earth is called Ocean and an adjacent smaller body of water on the surface of earth is called Ocean and an adjacent smaller body of water is called sea. There are five oceans in the word. These are. Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Antarctic Ocean, Arctic Ocean

i)      Pacific Ocean

        It is the largest ocean. Its area is 155 million square kilometers and it stretches over 17000 kilometers in width. It has an average depth of 4000 meters. It marginal areas are comprised of deep trenches and volcanoes. Panama Canal which links Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic is among the important trade routes of the world.

ii)     Atlantic Ocean

        It is the second largest ocean. Its area is 76 million square kilometers and it has an average depth of 3900 meters. Mid- oceanic ridge, which is the result of eruption of magma at the divergent plate boundary, is the significant feature of this ocean. This oceanic ridge spreads across the Atlantic, Indian, pacific and Antarctic Ocean over 60,000 kilometers in length. It is included in the active earthquake areas of the world. It is also the world’s most important and busiest trade route.

iii)    Indian Ocean

        It is the third largest ocean. Its area is about 68 million square kilometers and has an average depth of 3900 meters. It has maximum stretch in southern hemisphere. Mid-oceanic ridge from the Atlantic Ocean also divides the floor of Indian Ocean in East-West portions. Deep trenches are also present in which java trench is 7400 meters deep. It has become an important trade route between links red sea (Indian Ocean) with the Mediterranean Sea.

iv)    Antarctic Ocean

        Antarctic Ocean has an area of 20 million square kilometers and an average depth of 4000 meters. It has no distinct boundary with the pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Extreme cold water and huge icebergs are characteristic features of this ocean.

v)     Arctic Ocean

        Arctic Ocean is situated around the North Pole. It has an area of 14 million square kilometers and an average depth of 1200 meters. Shallow waters, low salinity and frozen surface are characteristic features of this ocean.