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Secrets of the Antarctic Ocean: Why is this body of water called the second smallest ocean?
The Antarctic Ocean, also known as the Southern Ocean, is the southernmost body of water in the world's oceans, usually defined as south of 60 degrees south latitude, surrounding Antarctica. Despite its area of 21,960,000 square kilometers, this ocean is the second smallest of the five major oceans, after the Antarctic Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean.
This ocean is not only a geographical landmark, but also an important part of global climate change and marine ecosystems.
In February 2019, the Five Deeps Expedition conducted a survey of the Antarctic Ocean and confirmed the maximum depth of this area of water, which is at 60°28'46"S, 25°32'32"W. The Fakto Deep Sea is 7,434 meters deep. This depth was discovered by expedition leader Victor Vescovo during the first exploration, and he proposed to name it "Facto Deep" to commemorate the submersible he was riding, DSV Limiting Factor.
The formation of the Antarctic Ocean is closely related to the unique ocean circulation in the region. These circulations have an important influence on the global thermohaline circulation, but as climate change intensifies, this influence is also changing. In particular, the stratification of the ocean is becoming more and more obvious, which may lead to a slowdown in ocean circulation and may even reach a critical point, eventually leading to the collapse of the ocean system. This process will have a profound impact on the global climate and marine ecosystem.
The impacts of climate change are already altering Antarctic marine ecosystems, with consequences that may become apparent over centuries.
In the early days, geographers debated the limits of the Antarctic Ocean, particularly whether it should be considered a separate body of water that borders the South Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) finally recognized the importance of the Antarctic Ocean and redefined its boundaries in 2000 as the waters south of the northern limit of the ocean circulation. But this definition was not officially adopted at that time.
In Australia, local mapping agencies define the Antarctic Ocean as the entire body of water from Antarctica to the southern coasts of Australia and New Zealand, and choose 60°S as the boundary elsewhere. This reflects not only the geographical reality of the Antarctic Ocean, but also the different views of different countries on its boundaries.
The evolution of the ocean's name reflects humanity's understanding of geographical exploration and knowledge of Antarctica.
The desire to explore Antarctica dates back to the early days of geography. Ever since Vasco Núñez de Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean, the exploration of Antarctic power has become a focus of interest for navigators. It was not until the 18th century that James Cook's voyage crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time, proving that Antarctica could not be colonized by humans and unveiling the mystery of the Antarctic Ocean.
Many ocean explorers throughout the history of exploration have attempted to discover the southern lands, and there are many rumors of a non-existent southern continent. With the advancement of science and the improvement of navigation technology, mankind's understanding of the Antarctic Ocean continues to deepen. Today, the region's marine life and its ecological environment have become a key focus of observation for ecologists and environmental scientists.
Exploring the Antarctic Ocean is an evolving process that will continue to challenge our understanding as the impacts of climate change continue.
With the advancement of science and technology, research on the Antarctic Ocean has gradually increased, but this area of water still faces challenges in environmental protection and ecological balance. These studies not only help us understand the workings of this special ecosystem, but will also provide important insights into future global warming and climate change. The Antarctic Ocean is filled with both sorrow and hope. Can this body of water withstand the pressure of human activities?
