Atlantic Ocean
Table of Contents
The Atlantic Ocean, covering abut one fifth of the total surface of the earth, one quarter of earth’s water surface, is the second larges Ocean of the world. The Atlantic has a total area measuring approx. 106.4 million sq. km. The Atlantic Ocean gets its name from the Latin equivalent to Atlas.
The Atlantic Ocean floor is around 12000 ft. deep in average. A submarine ridge from SE Greenland to North Scotland separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Arctic Ocean. Similarly another shallow submarine ridge along the Strait of Gibraltar marks the separation of Mediterranean Basin and the Atlantic Oceans. A portion of the Atlantic Ocean’s floor extending to 910 m. deep is called as telegraph plateau, due to the cable network laid therein. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is replete with volcanoes and earthquake activity, having an ever-widening rift which is filled with molten rock from interiors of earth. This has resulted in the moving away of Western Hemisphere, Europe as well as Africa from one another.
The Atlantic Ocean widens in S shape, between North and South America on the western side, and Africa and Europe in the eastern side. The Greenland Sea and the Smith Sound connects Atlantic Ocean with the Arctic Ocean, while the Magellan Straits and Panama Canal connect it with the Pacific Ocean by Drake Passage; and Suez Canal as well as the area between Antarctica and Africa connects it to the Indian Ocean. Atlantic Ocean receives the draining waters from the big rivers like the Congo, the Mississippi, the Amazon, all of which confluence with it.
Compared to other oceans, The Atlantic Ocean has less number of islands, while the Caribbean area has the largest concentration of islands. These islands are part of the continental structures, like the Falkland Islands, British Isles, Canary Islands, Newfoundland. Iceland, the Azores, Ascension, Cape Verde islands, the West Indies, the South Sandwich Islands and Bermuda, some of which are exposed tops of submarine ridges. Volcanic activity is high in Madeira Islands, while the coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean include The Bahamas.
The Atlantic Ocean is divided by its shape into North and South Atlantic Ocean basins, both having different kinds of circulation systems. North Atlantic basin has clockwise moving currents, which include the Antilles Current, North Atlantic Drift, Gulf Stream, while the anti-clockwise currents in the South Atlantic basis include the Brazil Current, West Wind Drift, South Equatorial Current, and Benguela Current. Both of these systems are alienated by the Equatorial Counter Current; but the Guinea Current off West Africa serves as a link between the two. The surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the trade wind belts have highest saline concentrations ever found in ocean waters.
The North Atlantic Ocean can boast of world’s largest shipping lanes, along the northern lanes patrolling is regularly done for icebergs. Carthaginians initiated the trading and commercial activities between the North East Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, even as Scandinavians sailed to the Atlantic Ocean during the 7th Century AD. Portuguese opened trade routes along coastal Africa, even as Spanish opened commercial routes to the Western Hemisphere, after Columbus voyaged in these areas. The world’s finest commercial fishing grounds are found in the Atlantic Ocean’s Grand Banks, though it has been drained by over-fishing, depleting many species.
Atlantic Ocean: The Vast Waters That Bind Continents
Exploring the Depths: An Introduction to the Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean stands as a majestic testament to the Earth’s dynamic nature, a sprawling expanse of water that has been a focal point for explorers, traders, and civilizations for centuries. Stretching from the icy waters of the Arctic to the balmy currents of the Antarctic, the Atlantic is the second-largest ocean, covering approximately 20 percent of the Earth’s surface. This vast body of water not only serves as the lifeblood of ecosystems but also as the cornerstone of economic and cultural exchange.
The Physical Characteristics of the Atlantic
Encompassing an area of about 106,460,000 square kilometers, the Atlantic Ocean’s boundaries are defined by interconnected waterways and landmasses. To the north, it merges with the Arctic Ocean, while the Southern Ocean lies at its southern reach. The continents of Americas to the west and Europe and Africa to the east serve as the pillars between which the waters of the Atlantic flow.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a mountain range that runs north-south and bisects the ocean, a testament to the tectonic forces at play beneath the surface. This ridge is a site of constant geological activity, where the Earth’s plates are diverging, giving rise to new oceanic crust and contributing to the ocean’s salient features, such as the Puerto Rico Trench, the deepest point in the Atlantic, plunging to depths of 8,376 meters.
Climate and Currents: The Life Force of the Atlantic
The Atlantic’s climate is as varied as its geography, influenced by latitudinal positioning and currents that act as conveyer belts of temperature and salinity. The Gulf Stream, one of the ocean’s most powerful currents, originates in the Gulf of Mexico, flowing northward along the eastern coastlines of the United States and Canada before crossing the Atlantic towards Europe. This current moderates climates, contributing to milder winters in Western Europe than at comparable latitudes on other continents.
The ocean is also a hub for climatic phenomena such as hurricanes, which are born in the warm waters of the Atlantic basin. These powerful storms play a significant role in shaping the climate and ecology of the regions they touch.
A Biodiversity Hotspot
The Atlantic is a treasure trove of biodiversity, hosting an array of marine life that is as rich as it is vulnerable. Coral reefs, such as the Florida Keys and the Caribbean Sea, provide habitat for thousands of marine species. The Sargasso Sea, unique for having no coastline, is encircled by ocean currents and is a haven for eels, marlin, and sea turtles.
Endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale and the loggerhead sea turtle rely on the complex habitats provided by the Atlantic’s waters. The ocean’s ecological significance is paramount, and understanding its biodiversity is critical for conservation efforts.
The Human Touch: History, Economy, and Threats
The Atlantic has been a stage for human history, bearing witness to the age of exploration, the transatlantic slave trade, and the advent of global commerce. Today, it remains a vital artery for trade, with major ports like New York, Southampton, and Rotterdam facilitating the flow of goods across the globe.
Despite its importance, the Atlantic faces threats from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. The delicate balance of its ecosystems is at risk, prompting urgent calls for sustainable management of the ocean’s resources.
Conservation Efforts: Preserving the Atlantic for Future Generations
Preservation of this natural wonder is paramount. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and international agreements aim to safeguard habitats and ensure that the Atlantic’s resources are used responsibly. These efforts are critical in maintaining the health of the ocean’s ecosystems and the species that call it home.
Conclusion: The Atlantic Ocean’s Call to Us
The Atlantic Ocean, with its vastness and depth, continues to inspire and sustain us. It is our collective responsibility to protect this vital part of our planet, to delve deeper into understanding its mysteries, and to respect the intricate web of life it supports.