ETOPO1 1 Arc-Minute Global Relief Model: Procedures, Data Sources and Analysis. Over the years, rivers such as the Mekong, Pearl, and Red Rivers have deposited large sediments, oil, and gasses. The sea has shipping routes where about 33.33% of the worlds shipping takes place. Ocean temperatures get colder with depth. It is located 25 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 68 km northwest of Curaao. Tourism based upon scuba diving and snorkeling on coral reefs of many Caribbean islands makes a major contribution to their economies.[34]. The Earths surface comprises about 71% water, with continents and islands covering the remaining part. The Caribbean sea floor is divided into five basins separated from each other by underwater ridges and mountain ranges. The Caribbean Sea experiences a tropical climate that is highly influenced by elevations, trade winds, and tropical ocean currents. (1991). The Caribbean Sea is also considered to be home to a large fishing industry. area volume average depth. Okeanos Explorer, which is operated, managed and maintained by NOAAs Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, has just spent about four weeks mapping more than 13,600 square miles of seafloor around the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Copyright 2023. The Mediterranean is home to over 17,000 marine species, including 712 species of fish. You can still find creatures such as seals, penguins, and whales. Caribbean Sea 4 - Caribbean Sea (Average Depth: 8,685 ft) Wiki: The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere. p. 124. It covers about 1/3 of the Earth. Dunbar. Simon Dannhauer . Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest seas and has an area of about 2,754,000km2 (1,063,000sqmi). [9] It is assumed the proto-caribbean basin existed in the Devonian period. [14] Historically the Caribbean is thought to contain 14% of the world's coral reefs. Amante, C. and B.W. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The northeast trade winds dominate the region with an average velocity of 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 km) per hour. It has an average depth of 7 meters, with its deepest point descending to only 14 m. Oceans and seas cover approximately 97% of Earths water. The remainder is the surface water that passed over the Antillean arc at depths of less than 2,600 feet (800 metres). Its also home to over 3,000 fish species and 600 types of coral reefs. This Caribbean bottom water also enters the Venezuelan Basin, thus introducing high-oxygen water at depths of 5,900 to 9,800 feet (1,800 to 3,000 metres). Director, Florida Institute of Oceanography, St. Petersburg. The Caribbean is home to about 9% of the world's coral reefs, covering about 50,000km2 (19,000sqmi), most of which are located off the Caribbean Islands and the Central American coast. [33], Human activity in the area also accounts for a significant amount of pollution. Deepest Point: Sunda Trench (23,920 feet). The Aves Ridge, incomplete at its southern extremity, separates the Venezuelan Basin from the small Grenada Basin, which is bounded to the east by the Antillean arc of islands. Halophila baillonii has been found only in the Lesser Antilles.[26]. Clay minerals likely having been deposited by the mainland river Orinoco and the Magdalena River. All of the oceans on Earth are estimated to have a volume of 0.3 billion cubic miles (1.332 billion cubic kilometers) and an average depth of 12,080.7 feet (3,682.2 meters). It runs 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. [13] Among them stands out the Belize Barrier Reef, with an area of 963km2 (372sqmi), which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. The Caribbean Sea is subdivided into five basins that are separated from each other by submerged ranges and ridges. New York: Random House. The Caribbean Sea had been unknown to the populations of Eurasia until 1492, when Christopher Columbus sailed into Caribbean waters on a quest to find a sea route to Asia. The project results were presented in Vienna in the forum "Water Matters", and the 2011 General Conference of said multilateral organization. Live video from a 2013 expedition to deep-sea canyons off the northeast Atlantic coast of the U.S. garnered more than 875,000 views, he said. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It is broadest in the west and at the head of Kerch Strait but elsewhere forms a rim about 6 to 7 miles (10 to 11 km) wide, and the depth of the edge is usually less than 360 feet (110 metres). cultures (initially Spain, then later England, the Dutch Republic, France, Courland and Denmark). Despite the vast ice in the Arctic Ocean, you can find over 5,500 animal species adapted to the cold habitats. The Cayman Basin, to the south, is partially separated from the Yucatn Basin by Cayman Ridge, an incomplete fingerlike ridge that extends from the southern part of Cuba toward Guatemala, rising above the surface at one point to form the Cayman Islands. Marine biota in the region have representatives of both the Indian and Pacific oceans which were caught in the Caribbean before the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama four million years ago. The Caribbean Sea region, including islands and adjacent coasts, is known as the Caribbean. This sea has an average depth of 2,200 m, with the deepest point in Cayman Trough descending to 7,686 m. The formation of the Caribbean Sea dates back around 160 and 180 million years. long, while the secondary piers are 338, 335, and 244ft long. To the south it is bounded by the coasts of Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama; to the west by Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatn Peninsula of Mexico; to the north by the Greater Antilles islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico; and to the east by the north-south chain of the Lesser Antilles, consisting of the island arc that extends from the Virgin Islands in the northeast to Trinidad, off the Venezuelan coast, in the southeast. The nation with the most Caribbean islands is the Bahamas, with approximately 700 islands. [31] The black-fronted piping guan is endangered. So far, at least 12,046 species have been reported in this sea. Have a question? Islands are inhabited by some endemic species such as rock iguanas and American crocodile. without marginal seas 82. The ocean basin is home to about 25,000 islands and over 228450 species, including hammered sharks, elephant seals, killer whales, penguins, and sea slugs. Below is a list of how weve ranked the worlds most extensive oceans and seas, including their area, average depth, and deepest point. Coral reefs support some of the most diverse marine habitats in the world, but they are fragile ecosystems. Throughout history, the Arabian Sea served as an essential water body for numerous seaports and trade routes. Surface currents, bearing both high- and low-salinity water depending on the source, enter the Caribbean mainly through the channels and passages of the southern Antilles. Interestingly, the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean is close to the Cayman Trough. Connections were established with the Pacific Ocean during the Cretaceous Period (from about 145 to 66 million years ago) but were broken when the land bridges that permitted mammals to cross between North and South America were formed in the Miocene and Pliocene epochs (about 23 to 2.6 million years ago). For example, guaiac wood (Guaiacum officinale), the flower of which is the national flower of Jamaica and the Bayahibe rose (Pereskia quisqueyana) which is the national flower of the Dominican Republic and the ceiba which is the national tree of both Puerto Rico and Guatemala. Guide to the Oceans. I have been a professional content writer for 6 years now, with a large focus on nature, gardening, food, and animals. As many as 40 scientists ashore are expected to participate remotely in the expedition. [15], The habitats supported by the reefs are critical to such tourist activities as fishing and diving, and provide an annual economic value to Caribbean nations of US$3.14.6billion. The Caribbean Sea is connected with the Gulf of Mexico in the north via the Yucatan Channel. The Indian Ocean basin makes up about 19.8% of the planets water and falls in the third position after the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. We have a lot of devoted fans who follow our explorations closely, Leonardi said. Deepest Point: China Sea Basin (16,456 feet). The vegetation of the region is mostly tropical but differences in topography, soil and climatic conditions increase species diversity. The next Okeanos Explorer expedition will take place from July to September in the Pacific Ocean in and around Papahnaumokukea Marine National MonumentandHawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Its, therefore, the largest ocean in the world. Subantarctic intermediate water (i.e., water differing in several characteristics from the surface and bottom layers of water that it separates) enters the Caribbean below the Anegada Passage at depths of 1,600 to 3,300 feet (500 to 1,000 metres). It is estimated that 13,000 species of plants grow in the Caribbean of which 6,500 are endemic. They are also fairly certain the area contains deepwater snapper populations, deepwater corals and geological features such as seamounts and mud volcanoes. From the 16th century, Europeans visiting the Caribbean region distinguished the "South Sea" (the Pacific Ocean south of the isthmus of Panama) from the "North Sea" (the Caribbean Sea north of the same isthmus).[4]. But how deep is the Caribbean Sea, and what mysterious creatures lurk there? The Caribbean Sea is the Atlantic Oceans 2nd largest marginal sea that is geographically positioned between the continents of North and South America in the Western Hemisphere. The nations that surround the Caribbean Sea are also prone to tropical cyclones and the Caribbean hurricane season lasts from June to November, with most of the hurricanes occurring between August and September. Many of the expeditions anticipated 20 ROV dives will take place in the Puerto Rico Trench, which is nearly 500 miles long and nearly 5.4 miles at its deepest deeper than anywhere else in the Atlantic Ocean basin. Following the colonization of the Caribbean islands, the Caribbean Sea became a busy area for European-based marine trading and transports, and this commerce eventually attracted pirates such as Samuel Bellamy and Blackbeard. 600 77. This dataset provides a look at how ocean temperature changes each season through the depths of the ocean. Professor of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa. It is bordered by Venezuela, Colombia and Panama to the south, Central American countries (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Belize) on the west; with the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico) on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the east. The Leeward Antilles comprising of the three Dutch Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao. Herman Molls' 1732 Map of the Caribbean. The area is so deep; that the temperatures reach near freezing levels. We dont know exactly what we can expect to see, said Lt. Brian Kennedy, the expeditions coordinator and a member of NOAAs Commissioned Officers Corps. Currently this protocol has been ratified by 15 countries. The Caribbean Sea is separated from the ocean by several island arcs of various ages. The Caribbean coastline has many gulfs and bays: the Gulf of Gonve, Gulf of Venezuela, Gulf of Darin, Golfo de los Mosquitos, Gulf of Paria and Gulf of Honduras. As the planets 4th largest ocean, the Southern Ocean has an average depth of 3,270 m. Its deepest point is the Factorian Deep which stretches to 7,434 m below sea level. Did you know that an explorer once traveled to the bottom of the Puerto Rico Trench in a private mission? 3. The Coral Sea is located southwest of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and New Hebrides. Where there are porous limestone terraced islands these are generally poor in nutrients. Pollution (in the form of up to 300,000 tonnes of solid garbage dumped into the Caribbean Sea each year) is progressively endangering marine ecosystems, wiping out species, and harming the livelihoods of the local people, which is primarily reliant on tourism and fishing. It lies between Western and Eastern Europe, Anatolia, North Africa, and the Levant. Located in the northern part of the Caribbean Sea is the Greater Antilles Island group. During this session, the public can pose their questions directly to the three experts, who also include Andrea Quattrini, Ph.D., a biologist with U.S. Geological Survey; and Mike Cheadle, Ph.D., a geologist with the University of Wyoming. The geologic age of the Caribbean is not known with certainty. Keep reading to find out! 000, 000 sq km 000, 000 sq mi 000, 000 cu km 000, 000 cu mi m ft. Atlantic Ocean. From there it divides to fill the Yucatn, Cayman, and Colombian basins at depths near 6,500 feet (2,000 metres). The shallowest sea is the Sea of Azov, located in Eastern Europe. Over 42% of corals are completely bleached, and 95% are experiencing some type of whitening. Moll's map covers all of the West Indies . The name Coral came from the numerous coral reefs, including the worlds largest known as the Great Barrier Reef. It is a unique sea with lots of wildlife, over 7,000 islands, and thousands of miles of coral reefs. (2004). The deepest point in the Caribbean sea is the Cayman Trough between Jamaica and Cuba. Today, large coastal populations, pollution, and intense fishing are the primary concerns in this sea. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The climate of the Caribbean generally is tropical, but there are great local variations, depending on mountain elevation, water currents, and the trade winds. Upper sedimentary layers relate to the period from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic (250million years ago to present) and the lower layers from the Paleozoic to the Mesozoic. It forms part of the Great Mayan Reef (also known as the MBRS) and, being over 1,000km (600mi) in length, is the world's second longest. Antigua Yacht Club Marina depth; can accomodate yachts with draft in excess of 25ft. Global Land One-kilometer Base Elevation (GLOBE) v.1. There are 500 species of reptiles (94% of which are endemic). Some of the major rivers that drain into the Caribbean Sea include Magdalene, San Juan, Chagres, Coco, etc. Surface area, volume, and average depth of oceans and seas. Since there are multiple large coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea, it is no surprise that marine life is so diverse! Did you discover a fact in this list about the largest oceans and seas that surprised you? The average depth of the Atlantic Ocean is 12,880 feet (3,926 meters) and the deepest point is the Puerto Rico Trench at -28,231 feet (-8,605 meters). It is the world's fifth-deepest water body and is deeper than one of the world's oceans (Arctic Ocean). Atlantic deep water is thought to spill into the Caribbean and contribute to the general deep water of its sea. Which is the largest, how deep are they, and how critical are they to the planets sustainability? The deepest part of the Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Trench, has an average depth of 2,200 meters, with the deepest point being 7,500 meters below the surface. Coral reefs fringe most of the islands. The major ocean current greatly influences the areas climate is the North Equatorial Current, which enters the Caribbean Sea region from the tropical Atlantic Ocean. [18], In connection with the foregoing, the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, conducted a regional study, funded by the Department of Technical Cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in which specialists from 11 Latin American countries (Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Venezuela) plus Jamaica participated. Trying to understand the differences and boundaries between multiple oceans and seas is difficult. Warm, moist trade winds blow consistently from the east, creating both rainforest and semi-arid climates across the region. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Former Professor of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 196776. It was formed about 34 million years ago when South America and Antarctica separated. The American yellow warbler is found in many areas, as is the green heron. The average depth is about 2,200 meters (7,220 feet) below the sea's surface. Following the discovery of the islands by Columbus, the area was quickly colonised by several Western [27] In the Caribbean Sea there are around 1,000 documented species of fish, including sharks (bull shark, tiger shark, silky shark and Caribbean reef shark), flying fish, giant oceanic manta ray, angel fish, spotfin butterflyfish, parrotfish, Atlantic Goliath grouper, tarpon and moray eels. It is fed by the westward-flowing North Equatorial Current moving from North Africa to the West Indies. The emergence of these basins marked the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean and contributed to the destruction of Pangaea at the end of the late Jurassic. The Caribbean Sea has the world's second largest barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The islands which make up the Greater Antilles include Hispaniola Island (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, Cuba, Cayman Island, and Puerto Rico. [1][2] The sea's deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at 7,686m (25,217ft) below sea level. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, named this massive water body Pacific in 1520, meaning peaceful.. The Mona ground iguana which inhabits the island of Mona, Puerto Rico, is endangered. All 170 species of amphibians that live in the region are endemic. The Caribbean has fewer hurricanes than either the western Pacific (where these storms are called typhoons) or the Gulf of Mexico. The name Caribbean has been derived from Caribs, a Native American group of indigenous people that lived in the region during the late 15th century. Pernetta, John. Omissions? It is 27,480 feet deep. The Yucatn Channel between Mexico and Cuba links the Gulf of Mexico with the Caribbean. depth: 3,750 to 4,384 metres (12,303 to 14,383 ft) . What is The Average Depth of the Caribbean Sea? Subsurface water enters the Caribbean Sea across two sills. Despite this, the Caribbean Sea is considered a relatively shallow sea in comparison to other bodies of water. The hurricane season is from June to November, but hurricanes occur most frequently in September. During the first century of European colonization, Spanish dominance in the region remained undisputed. This ocean is relatively calm and offers significant sea routes for transporting materials such as oil, rice, sugar, and silk. The Caribbean Sea is also massive, with an area of 1,063,000 square miles. 100m. The Caribbean Sea mostly occupies the Caribbean Plate and features many island arcs which separate it from the ocean. 21st Century. 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