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Exploring the Antarctic Abyss: Do you know how deep it is?
The Antarctic Sea, also known as the Southern Ocean, encompasses the southernmost waters of the world's oceans and is generally considered to lie south of 60° south latitude, surrounding Antarctica. This area of water covers 21,960,000 square kilometers, making it the second smallest of the five major oceans, smaller only than the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The complexity of marine ecosystems and the impacts of climate change make the Antarctic Ocean even more attractive, especially for exploring its deepest parts.
"The depths of the Antarctic Ocean reveal countless unknown mysteries on Earth."
According to the 2019 "Five Deeps Expedition", the maximum depth of the Antarctic Ocean is 7,434 meters at the coordinates of 60°28'46" South Latitude and 25°32'32" West Longitude. The measurement was made by the expedition's multibeam sonar team, marking the first time humans have successfully explored this deepest point. Expedition leader Victor Vescovo proposed naming this deepest point "Factoline Deep", a name derived from the unmanned submarine DSV Limiting Factor that carried him down.
In the past, James Cook's voyages in the 1770s made important contributions to the understanding of the geographical characteristics of Antarctic waters. However, geographers have long debated the definition of the Antarctic Ocean. Opinions diverge as to whether this body of water should be separated from the seasonally changing Antarctic border zone or defined separately. Eventually, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defined the Antarctic Ocean as the waters south of the northern limit of this cycle, recognizing its importance.
"The Antarctic Ocean overturning cycle has profound and lasting impacts on global climate and marine ecosystems."
The Antarctic Ocean overturning cycle is the second half of the global thermohaline cycle, a process that complements the well-known Atlantic Meridional Overturning Cycle (AMOC). According to the latest research, climate change has also had a significant impact on this cycle, which may lead to intensified ocean stratification, thus causing long-term adverse effects on global weather and marine ecosystems.
Naming and Definition of the Antarctic Ocean
Historically, the demarcation of oceans and seas was agreed upon at the first international conference of the International Hydrographic Bureau in 1919. The Bureau's 1928 publication of the Limits of Oceans and Seas was the initial result of this process. Over time, the boundary of the Antarctic Ocean has gradually moved southward. In 1953, the sea was omitted from official publications, leaving it to local hydrographic offices to determine its boundaries.
In its 2000 revision, the IHO included the Antarctic Ocean and its definition, but due to ongoing controversy over some of its contents, this definition has not yet been formally adopted. In 2017, the Australian government regarded the Antarctic Ocean as waters located south of Australia, and this position was gradually recognized by other countries and organizations.
"The new Antarctic Ocean classification considers oceans as sub-classifications of seas, which is a major change in long-standing practice."
History of Exploration
Exploration of the Antarctic Ocean was inspired by the long-standing belief in the existence of a continent called Terra Australis. Since Bartolomé Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1487, explorers' interest in the cold waters of Antarctica has grown. Over time, explorers from many countries were driven to discover this vast world, which became one of the main driving forces in the early 17th century.
Contributions of explorers from various countries
During this exploration process, many famous explorers have put forward their own insights and discoveries about the Antarctic Ocean. James Cook, in particular, made the first crossing of the Antarctic Circle in 1773, further expanding people's understanding of this sea area. During these trips, his discoveries served as an important impetus for future Antarctic exploration.
As they explore deeper, adventurers reveal the diversity of the Antarctic Ocean and its important role in the global climate system. This sea area is not only a geographical boundary, but also an indispensable part of ecology and climate science.
Journeys into the Antarctic abyss provide insights into Earth's deepest mysteries that continue to challenge our imaginations. Faced with the threat of climate change, can we develop a deeper understanding to protect this precious marine environment?
