Ocean Concept Map

Oceans

I.       Pacific

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean. It contains one third of the earth's surface. It is actually almost half the size of all the other oceans. The explorer Ferdinand Magellan founded it in 1519. The Pacific Ocean is located between Asia and North and South America. The ring of fire is actually located in the Pacific Ocean.

A.    Between Asia and North/South America

B.    Largest/deepest ocean

C.    Founded by Ferdinand Magellan

II.     Atlantic

The Atlantic Ocean is a S shaped basin that runs north-south direction. It is the second largest ocean. It is a little bigger than half of the Pacific Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean actually got its name from the lost city Atlantis. The Atlantic Ocean can hold up to 17 quadrillion gallons of water. Under the Atlantic Ocean there are plates about 3 to 4 miles thick. These plates are always forming so when more plates come the old ones fall into the middle of the earth and melt into magma. The magma then floats up and goes into volcanoes, that is why volcanoes erupt.

A.    Got name from lost city, Atlantis

B.    Volcanoes form under the Atlantic Ocean

C.    Second Largest ocean

III.    Indian

The Indian Ocean is salt water and is one fifth of the total ocean area in the world. It is the smallest and youngest ocean when compared the Pacific and Atlantic. The evolution of this ocean is the most complicated. It is located by between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia. Approximately 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean.

A.    Between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia and Australia

1.    Major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas.

B.    Small/youngest ocean

C.    Salt water

IV.    Southern

The Southern Ocean was founded in the year 2000. It is twice the size of the United States, which makes it the fourth largest ocean. Most explorers did not even realize it was an ocean. It sits between Antarctica and South Polar Regions. The Southern Ocean is the only ocean that reaches across the entire world. The Southern Ocean is the home of Emperor Penguins and Wandering Albatrosses.

A.    founded in 2000

B.    Fourth largest ocean

C.    Mapmakers did not even realize it was an ocean

1.    Also known as Great Southern Ocean, Antarctic Ocean, South Polar Ocean, Austral Ocean

V.     Arctic

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean only containing 8% of of Pacific Ocean. Ice is a major feature of this ocean. It is so cold it develops a thick layer of sea ice on the surface. The salt in the ocean actually lowers the freezing temperature of water. The oceans ice sheets are four times as big as Texas. More fish live along the edges of the Arctic Ocean than anywhere else on the Earth.

A.    Ice is the dominant feature

B.    Smallest ocean

C.    More fish live in the Arctic Ocean then anywhere else in the world