How many separate oceans are there on the planet

However, most countries - including the United States - now recognize the Southern Antarctic as the fifth ocean. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian are the most commonly known.

The Southern Ocean is the 'newest' named ocean. It is recognized by the U. Board on Geographic Names as the body of water extending from the coast of Antarctica to the line of latitude at 60 degrees South.

The Arctic is farther north than the other four oceans and its floor is home to natural gas and petroleum fields. Climate change has resulted in extreme warming trends in the Arctic. In the past few years alone, researchers have discovered a considerable decrease in ice cover.

At over 52 million square miles, the Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the five oceans, with an average depth of miles. The deepest area of the water is the Milwaukee Deep in Puerto Rico.

The trench has a depth of over five miles. The Arctic Ocean surrounds the Atlantic to the north. The Southern Ocean lies to the south. The northern edge and southern edge experience a difference in climates due to its expansive size. The varying temperatures from the Atlantic also affect the temperatures of land in the nearby areas. The same currents also cause the exceedingly cold temperatures in Newfoundland during the winter months. The Atlantic is home to various sea life such as whales, sea turtles, seals, sea lions, manatees, and dolphins.

Commercial fishing adds to its arsenal, with cod, mackerel, haddock, and herring among the most sought-after fish. The largest and deepest of the five oceans is the Pacific Ocean. The water in the Pacific Ocean is warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. Temperatures range from 32 degrees to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Various fish species inhabit the Pacific Ocean, with tuna, salmon, snapper, and herring among the most prevalent. In addition to the abundance of fish, natural gas, petroleum, and pearls are present on the ocean floor.

Sadly, the Pacific Ocean and its inhabitants have fallen victim to the increase in polluted rivers. Fertilizer, waste from nearby industrial plants, and sewage contaminate rivers in east and southeast Asian countries. The river spills contaminate the ocean in the draining process, leaving the wildlife endangered. The Indian Ocean is the third largest ocean on Earth, spanning over 43 million square miles.

With an average depth of over two miles, the deepest area is Diamantina Deep, which is five miles deep. The ocean sits to the south of Europe and Asia. Africa lies on the west, and Australia on the east. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean lie to the south. The waters of the Indian Ocean are generally warm, creating a suitable environment for the myriad of phytoplankton and plant life. With a favorable environment for fishing, tuna and shrimp are popular targets for fishermen. By drawing attention to the Southern Ocean, the National Geographic Society hopes to promote its conservation.

The impacts of industrial fishing on species like krill and Patagonian toothfish which is marketed as Chilean sea bass has been a concern in the Southern Ocean for decades. In , catch limits were imposed in the region. Tait has been on the job since It involves staying on top of current events and monitoring who controls what areas of the world.

For example, National Geographic maps show that the U. In disputed areas, Tait works with a team of geographers and editors to determine what most accurately represents a given region. Minor changes happen on a weekly or biweekly basis. Major changes, like labeling the Southern Ocean, are more rare. While not directly responsible for determining them, the IHO works with the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names to standardize names on an international scale.

The IHO recognized the Southern Ocean in its guidelines but repealed that designation in , citing controversy. It has deliberated on the matter since, but has yet to receive full agreement from its members to reinstate the Southern Ocean. The U. Board on Geographic Names, however, has used the name since A version of this story appears in the October issue of National Geographic magazine.

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