Did you know the Atlantic coast resorts is the second largest ocean in the world? At 106,460,000 square kilometers, it makes up 29% of the Earth’s water surface area. Its geography and depths are fascinating, as are its connections with other oceans. Read on to learn more. The Atlantic Ocean is home to a variety of creatures, including dolphins, whales, and even a manatee.
Ocean’s age
The rocks on the Atlantic Ocean’s seafloor are youngest near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, while rocks farther from the ridge are older. The ridge was formed about 180 million years ago, when molten lava poured out and solidified into basalt rock. Plate tectonics moved the rocky seafloor away from the ridge over time. This resulted in a region of the Atlantic Ocean that is 180 million years old.
Researchers have studied ocean-based sediment records to discover when the Atlantic Ocean began to weaken. The slowdown began near the end of the Little Ice Age, a period of cold temperatures that lasted from the 1400s to the mid-1800s. The slowdown in the Atlantic’s overturning occurred after the Little Ice Age ended, and it is believed that this was when the ocean’s currents were weaker than they are today.
Its depths
The vast majority of the world’s ocean remains unexplored. This fact makes the deepest parts of the ocean particularly mysterious. Today, modern technological innovations are helping scientists discover more about the ocean’s depths. These five primary zones are largely unknown, but they play a significant role in regulating life on Earth. The changes in light and pressure at different depths have significant consequences for the marine ecosystems living there. Here are some fascinating facts about the deep sea.
Its connections with other oceans
The World Ocean is composed of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean spans from the Southern Ocean through Africa and Europe to the Arctic. South of Africa, the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean at Cape Agulhas. The Indian Ocean, meanwhile, extends northward from the Southern Ocean to India, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia. In the east, the Indian Ocean joins the Pacific Ocean near Australia.
Its richness
The Atlantic region comprises over half of Europe’s coastline, two of the world’s most productive seas, low-lying lands, a dynamic coastal environment, and abundant species. Although the region is not known for its high biodiversity, the abundance of animal life makes up for it. Therefore, nature protection efforts in this region must be tailored to the unique conditions of this region. Below, we look at the key characteristics of this region.
While the Atlantic region is perhaps best known for its marine life, it is also home to several listed species of invertebrates and flora. Rare species of butterflies, dragonflies, land snails, and freshwater pearl mussels live in the region. There are numerous flora species listed as well, which occurs only in coastal heaths of the Northern Iberian Peninsula. Early gentian grows in chalk grasslands.
Its drainage area
The Atlantic coast of Portugal is not the largest ocean in the world, but it is the one with the largest drainage area. The ocean receives water from most of the major rivers in the world, including the Mississippi, Orinoco, and Amazon, which all drain into the Atlantic. The Atlantic is also rich in islands, and has many different types of coastline and tributary seas. Here are some of the most important rivers that flow into the Atlantic.
