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 offers a suitable habitat for over 9,000 species, including dugongs, whales, sea snakes, sharks, and turtles. During the first and second phases the basin was free of deformation. The Caribbean Sea is also considered to be home to a large fishing industry. But, he added, scientists do know a few things about the area: They know that it is tectonically active, with some seismic hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Two years later, they revisited the research and found a new shrimp species. 150m. 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. [20][21][22][23], KfW took part in a 25.7 million funding agreement to eliminate marine trash and boost the circular economy in the Caribbean's Small Island Developing States. Coral reefs fringe most of the islands. The Earths surface comprises about 71% water, with continents and islands covering the remaining part. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. The Mona ground iguana which inhabits the island of Mona, Puerto Rico, is endangered. In order to understand and sustainably manage the oceans resources, we first have to survey what resources exist.. The Caribbean's floor is composed of sub-oceanic sediments of deep red clay in the deep basins and troughs. Several islands dot the Mediterranean Sea, some of which formed through volcanic eruptions. Did you know that an explorer once traveled to the bottom of the Puerto Rico Trench in a private mission? The vegetation of the region is mostly tropical but differences in topography, soil and climatic conditions increase species diversity. The average depth is about 4,280 m. The volume of the Pacific Ocean reaches up to some 714 million cubic kilometers. 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. There are more than 7000 islands in the Caribbean, and they belong to over 28 distinct nations. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. It is observed that the lowland areas between Belize and Costa Rica experience a tropical rainforest climate, while the Yucatan Peninsula, Cuba, and Venezuela experience dry tropical savanna climates. North Atlantic deep water enters the Caribbean beneath the Windward Passage and is characterized by its rich oxygen content and by a salinity of slightly less than 35 parts per thousand. Deepest Point: Calypso Deep (17,280 feet). The Caribbean Sea experiences a tropical climate that is highly influenced by elevations, trade winds, and tropical ocean currents. The rhinoceros iguana from the island of Hispaniola which is shared between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is also endangered. Join us onFacebook,Twitter, Instagramand our othersocial media channels. 600 77. More than 170 species of amphibians are found in the Caribbean including poison dart frogs, tree frogs, etc. A .gov You can still find creatures such as seals, penguins, and whales. 4. Underwater earthquakes pose a threat of generating tsunamis which could have a devastating effect on the Caribbean islands. While some people believe the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are the same, this is only partially true. It is 27,480 feet deep. According to Birdlife International in 2006 in Cuba 29 species of bird are in danger of extinction and two species officially extinct. Because of these characteristics, the area was identified by members of the ocean science community as important to explore, and data from the expedition will likely have long-lasting implications for scientists and resource managers in the Caribbean. Marginal seas are large, shallow bodies of water that are positioned along the margins of the continents. The younger Cenozoic beds (formed during the last 65 million years) are generally horizontal, having been laid down after the deformations occurred. 3. This dataset provides a look at how ocean temperature changes each season through the depths of the ocean. Director, Florida Institute of Oceanography, St. Petersburg. Following the regions discovery by Columbus, the Caribbean islands began to be colonized by several countries including Spain, Dutch Republic, France, England, Denmark, etc. Despite this, the Caribbean Sea is considered a relatively shallow sea in comparison to other bodies of water. 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]. He also traveled to the deepest point in the world, Marianas trench. The project is estimated to prevent and remove at least 15 000 tonnes of marine trash, benefiting at least 20 000 individuals.[20]. The Bahamas (Lucayan) Archipelago includes the island of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Atlantic deep water is thought to spill into the Caribbean and contribute to the general deep water of its sea. While the Southern. I have been a professional content writer for 6 years now, with a large focus on nature, gardening, food, and animals. Other floral species that are found in the Caribbean region include mahogany, caimito, coconut palms, and mangroves. The South China Sea sits between South China, Indochinese Peninsula, the Philippines, and several islands. The green iguana is invasive to Grand Cayman. Rainfall varies from about 10 inches (25 cm) per year on the island of Bonaire off the coast of Venezuela to some 350 inches (900 cm) annually in parts of Dominica. Within the boundaries of the Caribbean itself, Jamaica, to the south of Cuba, is the largest of a number of islands. It runs 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. 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. URL accessed on 28/07/2007. [9] It is assumed the proto-caribbean basin existed in the Devonian period. The Caribbeans greatest known depth is Cayman Trench (Bartlett Deep) between Cuba and Jamaica, approximately 25,216 feet (7,686 metres) below sea level. NOAA Technical Memorandum NESDIS NGDC-24. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles starting with Cuba, to the east by the Lesser Antilles, and to the south by the northern coast of South America. [11] The surface water (30m; 100ft) acts as an extension of the northern Atlantic as the Guiana Current and part of the North Equatorial Current enter the sea on the east. Professor of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa. In summer, the average monthly temperature everywhere is about +28 C. Cloudiness is 4-5 points. Its also home to over 3,000 fish species and 600 types of coral reefs. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Have some feedback for us? The sea is one of the largest oil production areas in the world, producing approximately 170million tons[clarification needed] per year. The most-recent estimate of the average ocean depth of 3,682 meters (12,080 feet) was calculated in 2010 by scientists from NOAA and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution using satellite measurements. Elder, Danny and Pernetta, John. In shallow waters, sand or coral . 03 of 10 The South China Sea Taro Hama @ e-kamakura / Getty Images Area: 895,400 square miles (2,319,000 sq km) Average depth: 5,419 feet (1,652 m) The Caribbean Sea has a tropical climate influenced by trade winds. 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. [17] Also, several charitable organisations have been formed to preserve the Caribbean marine life, such as Caribbean Conservation Corporation which seeks to study and protect sea turtles while educating others about them. For each season (three month averages January - March, April - June, July - September, and October - December) there are six depths available: surface, 100m, 500m, 1,000m, 2,000m, and 5,000m. Thats precisely why we explore.. This sea has a rich history of exploration, especially by Christopher Columbus. Continents and islands cover the remaining 29%. The larger islands in the northern part of the sea Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico lie on an older island arc. Tourism is also a big industry of the areas around the Caribbean Sea. In the early Carboniferous movement of Gondwana to the north and its convergence with the Euramerica basin decreased in size. Three phases of sedimentation have been identified. Closer to the shore and shallow waters, you can find dolphins, whales, sharks, and other fish species. 21st Century. Surface. It has an average depth of 2200 meters with a deepest point of 7500 meters below the surface. The remainder is the surface water that passed over the Antillean arc at depths of less than 2,600 feet (800 metres). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. The maps show the seafloor in detail, making them useful for biologists, geologists, oceanographers and geophysicists. After Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, the Spanish term Antillas applied to the lands; stemming from this, Sea of the Antilles became a common alternative name for "Caribbean Sea" in various European languages. The project "Sustainable finance methods for marine preservation in the Caribbean" will assist remove solid waste and keep it out of the marine and coastal environment by establishing a new facility under the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF). While the ocean has an average depth of 2.3 miles, the shape and depth of the seafloor is complex. The Caribbean's greatest known depth is Cayman Trench (Bartlett Deep) between Cuba and Jamaica, approximately 25,216 feet (7,686 metres) below sea level . It is estimated that 13,000 species of plants grow in the Caribbean of which 6,500 are endemic. When tropical waters become unusually warm for extended periods of time, microscopic plants called zooxanthellae, which are symbiotic partners living within the coral polyp tissues, die off. The Caribbean Sea is also massive, with an area of 1,063,000 square miles. The original thought was four, but some people count the Antarctic Ocean as one. Deepest Point: Challenger Deep (36,070 feet). Victor Vescovo used his private submersible, the Limiting Factor, to reach the bottom of the trench safely. (Image credit: NOAA) Download Image During dives that are expected to go as deep as 3.7 miles, a sophisticated unmanned submarine, called a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, will broadcast live video from the seafloor, allowing anyone with Internet access to watch the expedition as it unfolds. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The Caribbean Beaches are without a doubt among the best in the world. I graduated from college with an A.A, but I am still pursuing a Bachelors of Marketing degree. It has over 17,500 species, including sharks, manatees, sea turtles, and humpback whales. The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest seas and has an area of about 2,754,000km2 (1,063,000sqmi). Water covers about 71% of the Earth. Which is the largest, how deep are they, and how critical are they to the planets sustainability? ADDITIONAL FACTS. Did you discover a fact in this list about the largest oceans and seas that surprised you? [20] Non-governmental organizations, universities, public institutions, civil society organizations, and the corporate sector are all eligible for financing. 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. Can You Eat Seagulls and How Do They Taste. 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. The Southern Ocean basin (Antarctic Ocean) encircles Antarctica and extends to parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. expeditions have come across unknown species, recorded known animals exhibiting never-before-seen behaviors and sighted live animals previously only observed as lifeless specimens, Kennedy said. The Caribbean Sea floor also features two deep oceanic trenches namely the Puerto Rico Trench and the Cayman Trench, which makes the entire Caribbean Sea region highly seismically active. The entire area of the Caribbean Sea, the numerous islands of the West Indies, and adjacent coasts are collectively known as the Caribbean. This article explores ten of the worlds largest oceans and seas, including the Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Indian Ocean. The yearly average is about eight such storms. There are 500 species of reptiles. Fear Cay, the eleventh Doc Savage adventure by Lester Dent. There's a pesky problem in a wide stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that's likely to wash up on some beaches later this year: Seaweed. Some species are threatened with extinction. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The Caribbean region has rich biodiversity containing many endemic species. The youngest stretches from the Lesser Antilles to the Virgin Islands to the north east of Trinidad and Tobago off the coast of Venezuela. 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. 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. The habitats of almost all members of the toad family, poison dart frogs, tree frogs and leptodactylidae (a type of frog) are limited to only one island. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The Southern Ocean is geologically the worlds youngest ocean. All 170 species of amphibians that live in the region are endemic. The tropical rainforest climates include lowland areas near the Caribbean Sea from Costa Rica north to Belize, as well as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, while the more seasonal dry tropical savanna climates are found in Cuba, northern Venezuela, and southern Yucatn, Mexico. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Covering an area of about 2,754,000 sq. How Deep Can We Go? The preferred oceanographic term for the Caribbean is the Antillean-Caribbean Sea, which, together with the Gulf of Mexico, forms the Central American Sea. Situated in the southwestern part of the Gulf, the Sigsbee Deep (Mexico Basin) is the deepest region in the Gulf of Mexico that has an estimated depth of over 4,384m. 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 next stage of the Caribbean Sea's formation began in the Triassic. The findings indicate that heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead, have been identified in the coastal zone of the Caribbean Sea. Sea level rise seen along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts over the last decade are "unprecedented in at least 120 years," scientists found. Deepest Point: China Sea Basin (16,456 feet). The Caribbean Sea is an oceanic sea largely situated on the Caribbean Plate. Since 2005 unusually warm Caribbean waters have been increasingly threatening Caribbean coral reefs. The Caribbean's depth in its wider basins and deep-water temperatures are similar to those of the Atlantic. 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). The surface water colour is blue-green to green. [19], After the Mediterranean, the Caribbean Sea is the second most polluted sea. Deepest Point: Bougainville (29,986 feet). Surface area, volume, and average depth of oceans and seas. 440 31. The average depth of this sea is 2,394 m, with its deepest point in Bougainville measuring 9,140 m below sea level. 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. Here is the list of All Caribbean Charts marine charts and fishing maps available on iBoating : Caribbean Marine & Fishing App.Marine charts app now supports multiple plaforms including Android, iPhone/iPad, MacBook, and Windows/PC based chartplotter.The Marine Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading. The Caribbean Sea is divided into five submarine basins, each roughly elliptical in shape, which are separated from one another by submerged ridges and rises. The Caribbean Sea is home to about 9% of the worlds coral reefs covering about 50,000 square kilometers (19,000 square miles), most of which are located off the Caribbean Islands and the Central American coast. The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, Meet the 10 Largest Land Owners in Montana. Today, large coastal populations, pollution, and intense fishing are the primary concerns in this sea. https://www.britannica.com/place/Caribbean-Sea, Florida Museum - Indigenous communities used the Caribbean Sea as an aquatic highway, Caribbean Sea - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Caribbean Sea - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), A 5,000-mile seaweed belt is headed toward Florida. The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. The shallowest sea is the Sea of Azov, located in Eastern Europe. Covering an area of about 2,754,000 sq. In the Caribbean, 600 species of birds have been recorded, of which 163 are endemic such as todies, Fernandina's flicker and palmchat. In the Caribbean Sea, piracy was very rampant during the 1500s and 1600s. On continental slopes and ridges calcareous silts are found. There are 170 species of amphibians that live in the region. This Triangle has mysteriously led to the disappearance of many ships and airplanes. The sea has shipping routes where about 33.33% of the worlds shipping takes place. Its average depth is 1,038 m, with Molloy Deep (its deepest point) descending to about 5,550 m. The Arctic Ocean formed during the Cretaceous Period, about 145-65 million years ago. The island has a total area of 193 km 2 (75 sq mi) and a coast line of 68.5 km (42.6 mi). Let us know. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As many as 40 scientists ashore are expected to participate remotely in the expedition. There are 90 species of mammals in the Caribbean including sperm whales, humpback whales and dolphins. Throughout history, the Arabian Sea served as an essential water body for numerous seaports and trade routes. Below is a list of how weve ranked the worlds most extensive oceans and seas, including their area, average depth, and deepest point. 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. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 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. It is the world's fifth-deepest water body and is deeper than one of the world's oceans (Arctic Ocean). This is the deep sea. Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is common in the Caribbean as is manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) which can grow together as well as in fields of single species at depths up to 20m (66ft). Annual variations in monthly average water temperatures at the surface do not exceed 3C (5.4F). The Pacific Ocean is the oldest of all existing oceans. Halophila baillonii has been found only in the Lesser Antilles.[26]. Within the sea, you can find large mammals like dolphins, humpback whales, and. The blue iguana, endemic to the island of Grand Cayman, is endangered. The Caribbean hurricane season as a whole lasts from June through November, with the majority of hurricanes occurring during August and September. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Caribbean Sea as follows:[5], Note that, although Barbados is an island on the same continental shelf, it is considered to be in the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea.[6]. 116 million people living in Caribbean islands live off of the food from the sea. At least 9% of all coral reefs in the world are found in the Caribbean Sea. Since there are multiple large coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea, it is no surprise that marine life is so diverse! 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. (2004). 700 85. they had been visited in the 10th century, List of Caribbean countries by population, "Tsunamis in the Caribbean? Currently this protocol has been ratified by 15 countries. More than 90 mammalian species are found in the Caribbean including dolphins, humpback whales, sperm whales, manatees, Solenodons, hutias, etc. The area is so deep; that the temperatures reach near freezing levels. According to the National Ocean Service, the oldest rock in this ocean dates back about 200 million years. Treaty on maritime boundaries between the United States of America and the United Mexican States (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean), . 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. [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. The Caribbean region has seen a significant increase in human activity since the colonization period. The island of Jamaica is home to seals and manatees. What is The Average Depth of the Caribbean Sea? 10m. On average around nine tropical storms form each year, with five reaching hurricane strength. The Sea is also home to numerous coral reefs, including the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world that runs for about 1,000km along the coasts of the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. 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). Sea surface temperature is defined as the average temperature of the top few millimeters of the ocean. Simon Dannhauer . The Leeward Antilles comprising of the three Dutch Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao. The salinity of the Caribbean Sea is about 3.6%. Former Professor of Oceanography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 196776. Global Land One-kilometer Base Elevation (GLOBE) v.1. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, named this massive water body Pacific in 1520, meaning peaceful.. Its, therefore, the largest ocean in the world. Interesting Caribbean Sea Facts: The deepest part of the Caribbean Sea is the Cayman Trench, located between Jamaica and Cuba. Located in the northern part of the Caribbean Sea is the Greater Antilles Island group. Updates? Privacy Policy. There are 500 species of reptiles (94% of which are endemic). 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. 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. 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. Each zone has a different mix of species adapted to its specific light level, pressure, temperature, and community. Official websites use .gov The Caribbean monk seal which lived in the Caribbean is considered extinct. The existing sediment cover of the seabed consists of red clay in the deep basins and trenches, globigerina ooze (a calcareous marine deposit) on the rises, and pteropod ooze on the ridges and continental slopes. In brackish water of harbours and estuaries at depths less than 2.5m (8ft 2in) widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) grows. An official website of the United States government. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. The Coral Sea is located southwest of the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and New Hebrides. The sediment beds tend to arch in the middle of the basins and to dip as landmasses are approached. Surface water temperatures in the Pacific vary from 1.4 C in the poleward areas to about 30 C near the equator. The name Caribbean derives from the Caribs, one of the regions dominant Native American groups at the time of European contact during the late 15th century. But with each expedition we reach new audiences who are fascinated by what we are seeing in the deep ocean. It's Possible", Status of coral reefs in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean, Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (SPAW), Analysis of Contaminants in the Caribbean Sea over the last 150 years, "Pollution in the Mediterranean | UNEPMAP", "Over 200,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into the Mediterranean each year IUCN report", "Marine Pollution Threatens the Caribbean Sea", "NASA NASA Satellites Record a Month for the Hurricane History Books", "Caribbean Sea Turtles Close to Extinction", Historic Caribbean Sea Turtle Population falls 99%. A deepest Point in the Pacific Ocean reaches up to some 714 million cubic kilometers measuring m! In size boundaries of the food from the Sea is the Greater Antilles island group an older island arc public. As an essential water body for numerous seaports and trade routes species and 600 types of coral.! 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