Some of these notable endemic floral species include guaiac wood, Bayahibe rose, and ceiba. A lock ( During both its mapping and ROV expedition legs, the ship routinely collects data on seafloor depth, the makeup of the seafloor, and water temperature and chemistry. Live video from a 2013 expedition to deep-sea canyons off the northeast Atlantic coast of the U.S. garnered more than 875,000 views, he said. This sea was an important trade route for merchants in ancient times. 100m. The pressure of the South American Plate to the east of the Caribbean causes the region of the Lesser Antilles to have high volcanic activity. Surface water temperatures in the Pacific vary from 1.4 C in the poleward areas to about 30 C near the equator. Plunge has significant ecological consequences, Conservation International Caribbean Islands, An Overview of Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution, Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean: Economic Valuation Methodology, Guide to Marine Life: Caribbean-Bahamas-Florida, Defying Ocean's End: An Agenda For Action, Center For Advanced Study on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Caribbean Basin Trade and Partnership Act, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Caribbean_Sea&oldid=1148478553, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without pushpin map alt, Articles using infobox body of water without alt bathymetry, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Haitian Creole-language text, Articles containing Jamaican Patois-language text, Articles containing Papiamento-language text, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2015, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from June 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 April 2023, at 12:01. Interesting Caribbean Sea Facts: The deepest part of the Caribbean Sea is the Cayman Trench, located between Jamaica and Cuba. Because the ocean is a big place and difficult to study, if you search online to find the depth of the ocean, you may end up with a range of results. The Yucatn Channel between Mexico and Cuba links the Gulf of Mexico with the Caribbean. The next Okeanos Explorer expedition will take place from July to September in the Pacific Ocean in and around Papahnaumokukea Marine National MonumentandHawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Since there are multiple large coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea, it is no surprise that marine life is so diverse! [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. Treaty on maritime boundaries between the United States of America and the United Mexican States (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean), . 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). On average around nine tropical storms form each year, with five reaching hurricane strength. Piracy in the Caribbean was widespread during the early colonial era, especially between 1640 and 1680. The shallow sill depths of the Antillean arc block the entry of Antarctic bottom water, so that the bottom temperature of the Caribbean Sea is close to 39 F (4 C), as compared with the Atlantic bottom temperature of less than 36 F (2 C). [1] [2] The sea's deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at 7,686 . [27] 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. Have a comment on this page? It has an average depth of 7,220 feet or 2,200 meters. 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. Throughout the Caribbean there is industrial catching of lobster and sardines (off the coast of Yucatn Peninsula). The Cayman Trough, located between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, is the sea's deepest point. This public engagement improves science literacy and fosters an interest in the sciences among young people perhaps leading to the next generation of ocean explorers.. The Leeward Antilles comprising of the three Dutch Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao. The Southern Ocean is geologically the worlds youngest ocean. Atlantic Ocean water enters the Caribbean through the Anegada Passage lying between the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands and the Windward Passage located between Cuba and Haiti. 177178. [30] The Golden coqui is in serious threat of extinction. Approximately 1,000 fishes have been recorded in the Caribbean Sea including flying fish, angelfish, manta ray, Caribbean reef shark, silky shark, bull shark, tiger shark, butterflyfish, Atlantic Goliath grouper, moray eels, lobsters, sardines, parrotfish, etc. The Caribbean Sea is an oceanic sea largely situated on the Caribbean Plate. Just by a few thousand feet, the Atlantic Ocean is deeper than the Caribbean Sea. The sea is one of the largest oil production areas in the world, producing approximately 170million tons[clarification needed] per year. Where there are porous limestone terraced islands these are generally poor in nutrients. (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. Please select which sections you would like to print: Alternate titles: Antillean-Caribbean Sea. Deepest Point: Factorian Deep (24389 feet). A .gov The Caribbean Sea is also considered to be home to a large fishing industry. The rhinoceros iguana from the island of Hispaniola which is shared between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is also endangered. There are more than 7000 islands in the Caribbean, and they belong to over 28 distinct nations. Pernetta, John. From its summit to the sea surface over 2100 m. The straits have a depth of more than one and a half kilometers. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). See also: Types of Ocean Storms Ways to Save the Ocean Overfishing in the Ocean List of Marine Invertebrates 2. Surface area, volume, and average depth of oceans and seas. 100 354. Coral reefs fringe most of the islands. I have been a professional content writer for 6 years now, with a large focus on nature, gardening, food, and animals. Its, therefore, the largest ocean in the world. Near the end of the second phase, gentle warping and faulting occurred, forming the Aves and Beata ridges. The preferred oceanographic term for the Caribbean is the Antillean-Caribbean Sea, which, together with the Gulf of Mexico, forms the Central American Sea. Caribbean, followed by Hispaniola and Jamaica. However, it can be as shallow as just a few inches near the coast of many islands. Thats precisely why we explore.. (2004). Omissions? It covers about 1/3 of the Earth. As the planets 4th largest ocean, the Southern Ocean has an average depth of 3,270 m. Its deepest point is the Factorian Deep which stretches to 7,434 m below sea level. The blue iguana, endemic to the island of Grand Cayman, is endangered. [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. Guide to the Oceans. [13] Among them stands out the Belize Barrier Reef, with an area of 963km2 (372sqmi), which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. [32], The Caribbean region supports a large tourism industry. While the ocean has an average depth of 2.3 miles, the shape and depth of the seafloor is complex. I graduated from college with an A.A, but I am still pursuing a Bachelors of Marketing degree. But how deep is the Caribbean Sea, and what mysterious creatures lurk there? Simon Dannhauer . 10m. This is the deep sea. [14] Historically the Caribbean is thought to contain 14% of the world's coral reefs. Ocean temperatures get colder with depth. The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. 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. The Largest Farm in the Entire World Is Bigger Than 11 U.S. States! The deepest point in the Caribbean sea is the Cayman Trough between Jamaica and Cuba. Deepest Point: China Sea Basin (16,456 feet). 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. Interesting facts about the American black bear, Interesting facts about Peter Paul Rubens. In shallow waters, sand or coral . This puts its vulnerable ecosystem at risk, including people living nearby. New York: Random House. As many as 40 scientists ashore are expected to participate remotely in the expedition. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.. Beginning April 10, scientists aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer will begin a series of 20 dives to investigate previously unseen depths of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean and the public can follow along online. 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. It borders several countries in East Africa, Asia, and western Australia. The Caribbean Sea has a diverse and rich ecosystem. 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. Following the colonization of the Caribbean islands, the Caribbean Sea became a busy area for European-based marine trading and transports, and this commerce eventually attracted pirates such as Samuel Bellamy and Blackbeard. The Caribbean Sea is nowhere near being the largest sea in the world, but it is still very deep! The Caribbean Sea mostly occupies the Caribbean Plate and features many island arcs which separate it from the ocean. The Gulf of Mexico lies to the northwest. Okeanos Explorer, which is operated, managed and maintained by NOAAs Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, has just spent about four weeks mapping more than 13,600 square miles of seafloor around the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. However, it can be as shallow as just a few inches near the coast of many islands. In summer, the average monthly temperature everywhere is about +28 C. Cloudiness is 4-5 points. 000, 000 sq km 000, 000 sq mi 000, 000 cu km 000, 000 cu mi m ft. Atlantic Ocean. Amante, C. and B.W. Bodies of water all over North America are drying up due to drought. Area: 1,491,000 sq. The Pacific Ocean basin covers approximately 1/3 of the Earths surface, making up about 46% of the water surface globally. The island of Jamaica is home to seals and manatees. In the early Jurassic due to powerful marine transgression, water broke into the present area of the Gulf of Mexico creating a vast shallow pool. Deepest Point: Wheatley Deep (19,028 feet). Deepest Point: Sunda Trench (23,920 feet). It is not easy to find information about the bottom of the Caribbean Sea, which is why in 2010, a UK group of researchers from the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton (NOCS) used a robot to map out the trench. 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. Located in the northern part of the Caribbean Sea is the Greater Antilles Island group. The Caribbean Sea is separated from the ocean by several island arcs of various ages. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. The Caribbean Tourism Organization calculates that about 12million people a year visit the area, including (in 19911992) about 8million cruise ship tourists. All 170 species of amphibians that live in the region are endemic. Dunbar. [15], The habitats supported by the reefs are critical to such tourist activities as fishing and diving, and provide an annual economic value to Caribbean nations of US$3.14.6billion. 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 average depth of the Caribbean Sea is approximately 7,220 feet below the seas surface. It is a unique sea with lots of wildlife, over 7,000 islands, and thousands of miles of coral reefs. The Yucatan Basin is partially separated from the Cayman Basin by the Cayman Ridge, which rises above to form the Cayman Islands. The American yellow warbler is found in many areas, as is the green heron. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Silverstein, Alvin (1998) Weather And Climate (Science Concepts); page 17. It runs along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Marine biota in the region have representatives of both the Indian and Pacific oceans which were caught in the Caribbean before the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama four million years ago. On the western side is the Gulf of Aden, which connects this sea to the Red Sea. 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. The vegetation of the region is mostly tropical but differences in topography, soil and climatic conditions increase species diversity. The Cayman Basin is in turn separated from the Colombian Basin by the Nicaraguan Rise. The Caribbean Sea is also massive, with an area of 1,063,000 square miles. Above this water, the subtropical undercurrent and surface water enter. [20] Non-governmental organizations, universities, public institutions, civil society organizations, and the corporate sector are all eligible for financing. Leeward side of lagoons provide areas of growth for sea grasses. 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. The Southern Ocean basin (Antarctic Ocean) encircles Antarctica and extends to parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. area volume average depth. 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. These sills are located below the Anegada Passage, which runs between the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles, and the Windward Passage, which stretches between Cuba and Hispaniola. Caribbean. It is also well known as the location of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. The Lesser Antilles are further divided into three major island groups: the Leeward Islands comprising of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, US Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Martins, Saint Kitts, and Nevis, Saint Barthelemy, and Montserrat. The climate of the Caribbean is driven by the low latitude and tropical ocean currents that run through it. 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 . Two years later, they revisited the research and found a new shrimp species. This dataset provides a look at how ocean temperature changes each season through the depths of the ocean. So far, at least 12,046 species have been reported in this sea. The salinity of the seawater is about 3.6%, and its density is 1,023.51,024.0kg/m3 (63.9063.93lb/cuft). The Caribbean sea floor is divided into five basins separated from each other by underwater ridges and mountain ranges. This sea has a rich history of exploration, especially by Christopher Columbus. It is estimated that 13,000 species of plants grow in the Caribbean of which 6,500 are endemic. Throughout history, the Arabian Sea served as an essential water body for numerous seaports and trade routes. The sea is one of the largest oil production areas in the world, producing approximately 170 million tons per year. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. While the Southern. More than 90 mammalian species are found in the Caribbean including dolphins, humpback whales, sperm whales, manatees, Solenodons, hutias, etc. [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. 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