Within the sea, you can find large mammals like dolphins, humpback whales, and. During this mission, they discovered extremely hot black smokers at the deepest point yet (3.1 miles). Panel Chairman in Marine Biology, Gulf University Research Corporation. Over the years, rivers such as the Mekong, Pearl, and Red Rivers have deposited large sediments, oil, and gasses. The Caribbean Sea is also massive, with an area of 1,063,000 square miles. The Coral sea is home to the Coral Sea Islands and supports over 7,000 species. Annual variations in monthly average water temperatures at the surface do not exceed 3C (5.4F). Guide to the Oceans. The Pacific is the deepest basin of the global ocean. Caribbean, followed by Hispaniola and Jamaica. According to the National Hurricane Center 385 hurricanes occurred in the Caribbean between 1494 and 1900. Contact us today. During the Cretaceous the Caribbean acquired the shape close to that seen today. 10m. Its average depth is 4,280 m, with the deepest point being Challenger Deep, which descends to 10,994 meters (36,070 feet). The average depth of this sea is 2,394 m, with its deepest point in Bougainville measuring 9,140 m below sea level. Due to climate change, this ocean has been getting warmer about four times faster than other parts of the world. Upper sedimentary layers relate to the period from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic (250million years ago to present) and the lower layers from the Paleozoic to the Mesozoic. 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 regions discovery by Columbus, the Caribbean islands began to be colonized by several countries including Spain, Dutch Republic, France, England, Denmark, etc. p. 124. Coral reefs fringe most of the islands. The ancient sediments overlying the seafloor of the Caribbean, as well as of the Gulf of Mexico, are about a half mile (about one kilometre) in thickness, with the upper strata representing sediments from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras (from about 252 million years ago to the present) and the lower strata presumably representing sediments of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras (from about 541 to 66 million years ago). The Caribbean's depth in its wider basins and deep-water temperatures are similar to those of the Atlantic. The shelf gives way at its edge to a slope, which is broken by submarine valleys and is steep in its upper parts. The deepest points of the sea lie in Cayman Trough with depths reaching approximately 7,686m (25,220ft). The habitats supported by the reefs are critical to such tourist activities as fishing and diving, and The seas deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at 7,686 meters (25,220 feet) below sea level. To understand how vast water bodies are, you may consider looking into the sizes of various oceans and seas. This is the deep sea. 100 354. cultures (initially Spain, then later England, the Dutch Republic, France, Courland and Denmark). Water covers about 71% of the Earth. About 600 avian species such as the American yellow warbler, Fernandinas flicker, palmchat, black-fronted piping guan, etc have also been recorded here. 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. 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. From its summit to the sea surface over 2100 m. The straits have a depth of more than one and a half kilometers. The emergence of these basins marked the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean and contributed to the destruction of Pangaea at the end of the late Jurassic. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. 3. Continents and islands cover the remaining 29%. Situated on the floor of the western Caribbean Sea between the Jamaica and Cayman Islands is the Cayman Trench (Bartlett Deep), which reaches a depth of 7,686m below the sea level and is the deepest point of the Caribbean Sea. It offers a suitable habitat for over 9,000 species, including dugongs, whales, sea snakes, sharks, and turtles. It was formed about 34 million years ago when South America and Antarctica separated. The sea is warm, calm, and with occasional cyclones. (2004). The maps show the seafloor in detail, making them useful for biologists, geologists, oceanographers and geophysicists. [19], After the Mediterranean, the Caribbean Sea is the second most polluted sea. The Central American Sea apparently became separated from the Atlantic before the end of the first phase. 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. The geological age of the Caribbean Sea is estimated to be between 160 and 180 million years and was formed by a horizontal fracture that split the supercontinent called Pangea in the Mesozoic Era. The eastern trade winds blow across the region leading to the creation of semi-arid and rainforest climates in the area. km Average Depth: 8,970 ft., 2,734 m. Greatest Known Depth: Wheatley Point 15,262 ft., 4,652 m. The Arabian Sea sits in the northwest of the Indian Ocean, in a pocket below Pakistan and Oman and to the west of India. It is located 25 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 68 km northwest of Curaao. This sea was an important trade route for merchants in ancient times. Near the end of the second phase, gentle warping and faulting occurred, forming the Aves and Beata ridges. Closer to the shore and shallow waters, you can find dolphins, whales, sharks, and other fish species. The Caribbean monk seal which lived in the Caribbean is considered extinct. Amante, C. and B.W. This arc was formed by the collision of the South American Plate with the Caribbean Plate and includes active and extinct volcanoes such as Mount Pelee, the Quill (volcano) on Sint Eustatius in the Caribbean Netherlands and Morne Trois Pitons on Dominica. Its average depth is 1,038 m, with Molloy Deep (its deepest point) descending to about 5,550 m. The Arctic Ocean formed during the Cretaceous Period, about 145-65 million years ago. The northeast trade winds dominate the region with an average velocity of 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 km) per hour. Within the boundaries of the Caribbean itself, Jamaica, to the south of Cuba, is the largest of a number of islands. These plants provide food for the corals and give them their color. It is the world's fifth-deepest water body and is deeper than one of the world's oceans (Arctic Ocean). It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the continents of Asia and Oceania in the west and the Americas in the east.. At 165,250,000 square kilometers (63,800,000 square miles) in area (as defined with a . Over the past 50years, the Caribbean has gone through three stages: cooling until 1974, a cold phase with peaks during 19741976 and 19841986, and finally a warming phase with an increase in temperature of 0.6C (1.1F) per year. depth: 3,750 to 4,384 metres (12,303 to 14,383 ft) . The Windward Islands comprising of Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, and Saint Vincent and Grenadines. [13] Among them stands out the Belize Barrier Reef, with an area of 963km2 (372sqmi), which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. 900 3, 930 12, 890. with marginal seas 106. The emergence of deep basins in the Caribbean occurred during the Middle Jurassic rifting. The region has several types of sea turtle (loggerhead, green turtle, hawksbill, leatherback turtle, Atlantic ridley and olive ridley). The climate of the Caribbean generally is tropical, but there are great local variations, depending on mountain elevation, water currents, and the trade winds. [28] Their populations have been greatly reduced since the 17th century the number of green turtles has declined from 91million to 300,000 and hawksbill turtles from 11million to less than 30,000 by 2006.[29]. Youll also discover their deepest point, the marine life available, their economic purposes, and more. Analysis of toxic metals and hydrocarbons is based on the investigation of coastal sediments that have accumulated less than 50 meters deep during the last hundred and fifty years. There are more than 7,000 islands including 12 countries and 22 island territories in the Caribbean Sea. Its, therefore, the largest ocean in the world. The sea has shipping routes where about 33.33% of the worlds shipping takes place. The hurricane season is from June to November, but hurricanes occur most frequently in September. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As part of the Central American Sea, it is presumed to have been connected with the Mediterranean during Paleozoic times (i.e., about 541 to 252 million years ago) and then gradually to have separated from it as the Atlantic Ocean was formed. The vegetation of the region is mostly tropical but differences in topography, soil and climatic conditions increase species diversity. This article explores ten of the worlds largest oceans and seas, including the Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Indian Ocean. The Caribbean Sea is nowhere near being the largest sea in the world, but it is still very deep! 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). The average depth of the Caribbean Sea is approximately 7,220 feet below the seas surface. Pernetta, John. Have a question? The Caribbean Sea is an oceanic sea largely situated on the Caribbean Plate. Caribbean Basin and Western Atlantic Elevation highest point: sea level lowest point: Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m mean depth: -3,646 m ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. 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. The Atlantic Ocean basin is the 2nd biggest ocean in the world, covering about 20% of the Earths surface. The Caribbean is the setting for countless literary efforts often related to piracy acts and swashbuckling. The original thought was four, but some people count the Antarctic Ocean as one. The Arabian Sea has an average depth of 2,734 m, with its deepest point in Wheatley Deep descending to about 5,800 m. The formation of this sea took place roughly 50 million years ago. However, a devastating tsunami in 2004 led to the loss of over 200,000 deaths and the massive destruction of property. 1m. Join us onFacebook,Twitter, Instagramand our othersocial media channels. The salinity of the Caribbean Sea is about 3.6%. [20] Non-governmental organizations, universities, public institutions, civil society organizations, and the corporate sector are all eligible for financing. From the 16th century, Europeans visiting the Caribbean region distinguished the "South Sea" (the Pacific Ocean south of the isthmus of Panama) from the "North Sea" (the Caribbean Sea north of the same isthmus).[4]. The Caribbean's floor is composed of sub-oceanic sediments of deep red clay in the deep basins and troughs. 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. It is observed that the lowland areas between Belize and Costa Rica experience a tropical rainforest climate, while the Yucatan Peninsula, Cuba, and Venezuela experience dry tropical savanna climates. Some of the major rivers that drain into the Caribbean Sea include Magdalene, San Juan, Chagres, Coco, etc. It has an average depth of 7,220 feet or 2,200 meters. There was a very serious eruption of Mount Pele in 1902 which caused many casualties. Many James Bond adventures were set there. Cuba, with an area of 109,884 square kilometers (42,426 square miles), is the largest island in the Other areas to be explored include the Muertos Trough, Mona Channel and Virgin Islands Trough. Thats precisely why we explore.. It covers about 1/3 of the Earth. It lies between Western and Eastern Europe, Anatolia, North Africa, and the Levant. The Caribbean Sea is also massive, with an area of 1,063,000 square miles. Climate change, pollution, fishing, and hunting have affected the fragile ecosystem of the Antarctic Ocean. Thank you for reading! [11] The surface water (30m; 100ft) acts as an extension of the northern Atlantic as the Guiana Current and part of the North Equatorial Current enter the sea on the east. It lies between latitudes 30 and 46 N and longitudes 6 W and 36 E. Average monthly air temperatures in winter vary from +23 in the north to +27 C on the southern coast of the sea. As of 2015[update] the area is home to 22 island territories and borders 12 continental countries. 150m. Following the discovery of the islands by Columbus, the area was quickly colonised by several Western The Mediterranean sea covers 0.7% of the planets ocean surface, making it one of the largest seas globally. The Caribbean Sea is home to 22 islands and over 1,400 species of marine mammals, fish, and coastal mangroves. The Caribbean Sea had been unknown to the populations of Eurasia until 1492, when Christopher Columbus sailed into Caribbean waters on a quest to find a sea route to Asia. Another type shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) grows on sand and mud surfaces at depths of up to 5m (16ft). Deepest Point: Bougainville (29,986 feet). The geological age of the Caribbean Sea is estimated to be between 160 and 180million years and was formed by a horizontal fracture that split the supercontinent called Pangea in the Mesozoic Era. The Caribbean Sea is the Atlantic Ocean's second-largest sea and the world's deepest sea, with a maximum depth of 7,686 m below sea level. The average depth of the ocean measures about 12,100 feet (3600 meters) or about 2.3 miles down! Keep reading to find out! Each zone has a different mix of species adapted to its specific light level, pressure, temperature, and community. The Pan American Health Organization estimated in 1993 that only about 10% of the sewage from the Central American and Caribbean Island countries is properly treated before being released into the sea. The name Caribbean derives from the Caribs, one of the region's dominant Native American groups at the time of European contact during the late 15th century. While some people believe the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are the same, this is only partially true. The age and size of an ocean influence its depth. The sea is one of the largest oil production areas in the world, producing approximately 170 million tons per year. The Caribbean Sea is one of the largest seas and has an area of about 2,754,000km2 (1,063,000sqmi). The Mediterranean Sea has an average depth of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) and the deepest recorded point is 5,109 m (16,762 ft) 1 m (3 ft) in the Calypso Deep in the Ionian Sea. The Random House atlas of the oceans. The shallowest sea is the Sea of Azov, located in Eastern Europe. Professor of Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa. The project "Sustainable finance methods for marine preservation in the Caribbean" will assist remove solid waste and keep it out of the marine and coastal environment by establishing a new facility under the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF). Did you know that an explorer once traveled to the bottom of the Puerto Rico Trench in a private mission? 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. Off the northeastern coast of South America, this current splits into the Caribbean Current, which passes into the Caribbean Sea and through the . Caribbean. Surface water temperatures in the Pacific vary from 1.4 C in the poleward areas to about 30 C near the equator. The nation with the most Caribbean islands is the Bahamas, with approximately 700 islands. There are also some locations that are arid climates with considerable drought in some years. During the first and second phases the basin was free of deformation. Representatives of three species belonging to the genus Halophila, (Halophila baillonii, Halophila engelmannii and Halophila decipiens) are found at depths of up to 30m (98ft) except for Halophila engelmani which does not grow below 5m (16ft) and is confined to the Bahamas, Florida, the Greater Antilles and the western part of the Caribbean. However, it can be as shallow as just a few inches near the coast of many islands. Technically, the Caribbean Sea is a suboceanic basin of the Atlantic Ocean. The result of the death and dispersal of these tiny plants is called coral bleaching, and can lead to the devastation of large areas of reef. There are 500 species of reptiles. The Caribbean Beaches are without a doubt among the best in the world. The Atlantic is home to many seas, islands, gulfs, and bays. In coastal zones there are coconut palms and in lagoons and estuaries are found thick areas of black mangrove and red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). What is the Maximum Depth of the Caribbean Sea? There are 170 species of amphibians that live in the region. The Caribbean Sea region, including islands and adjacent coasts, is known as the Caribbean. This sea has an average depth of 2,200 m, with the deepest point in Cayman Trough descending to 7,686 m. The formation of the Caribbean Sea dates back around 160 and 180 million years. Below is a list of how weve ranked the worlds most extensive oceans and seas, including their area, average depth, and deepest point. Continued destruction of the reefs could severely damage the region's economy. The Aves Ridge, incomplete at its southern extremity, separates the Venezuelan Basin from the small Grenada Basin, which is bounded to the east by the Antillean arc of islands. About 500 reptiles are found in the Caribbean including the blue iguana, rhinoceros iguana, Mona ground iguana, green turtle, loggerhead turtle, Atlantic ridley turtle, leatherback turtle, etc. The Caribbean Tourism Organization calculates that about 12million people a year visit the area, including (in 19911992) about 8million cruise ship tourists. Dunbar. 200 3, 330 10, 920. The Arctic Ocean is in the north polar region and borders North America and Eurasia. Since 2005 unusually warm Caribbean waters have been increasingly threatening Caribbean 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 9 Best Books About National Parks for Travelers, Discover the Biblical Flood that Created Todays Mediterranean Sea, Discover 7 Spectacular Fish Found in the Bahamas. Where there are porous limestone terraced islands these are generally poor in nutrients. More than 170 species of amphibians are found in the Caribbean including poison dart frogs, tree frogs, etc. The average depth is about 2,200 meters (7,220 feet) below the sea's surface. In the shallow waters mainly turtle grass, manatee grass, and shoal grasses are found. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. It is estimated that 13 thousand species of plants grow in the Caribbean of which 6.5 thousand are endemic. The Caribbean Sea has a diverse and rich ecosystem. The Pacific Ocean basin covers approximately 1/3 of the Earths surface, making up about 46% of the water surface globally. On average around nine tropical storms form each year, with five reaching hurricane strength. The principal ocean current is the North Equatorial Current, which enters the region from the tropical Atlantic. During the dives, Okeanos Explorers two-body ROV system will continuously capture high-definition video, which the ship will transmit to the Office of Ocean Exploration and Researchs website, www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov, where anyone can follow along in near-real time. There's a pesky problem in a wide stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that's likely to wash up on some beaches later this year: Seaweed. 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. An official website of the United States government. Its deepest point is the Sunda Trench, descending to approximately 7,290 m. With an average temperature of 77F, the Indian Ocean takes the lead as the warmest ocean in the world. The Caribbean is home to about 9% of the world's coral reefs, covering about 50,000km2 (19,000sqmi), most of which are located off the Caribbean Islands and the Central American coast. Director, Florida Institute of Oceanography, St. Petersburg. But the facet of Okeanos Explorer expeditions that the public typically gets most excited about, Leonardi said, is its live-streamed ROV explorations. The Cayman Basin, to the south, is partially separated from the Yucatn Basin by Cayman Ridge, an incomplete fingerlike ridge that extends from the southern part of Cuba toward Guatemala, rising above the surface at one point to form the Cayman Islands. Piracy in the Caribbean was widespread during the early colonial era, especially between 1640 and 1680. It is located 25 km North of the major rivers that drain into the sizes various... Are the same, this ocean has been made to follow citation style rules, there may some! The most Caribbean islands is the second phase, gentle warping and faulting occurred, forming Aves... Storms form each year, with five reaching hurricane strength trade route for merchants in ancient times Europe! Caribbean 's floor is composed of sub-oceanic sediments of deep basins and deep-water temperatures are similar those... Depth in its upper parts and Denmark ) it was formed about 34 million years ago South. 930 average depth of caribbean sea, 890. with marginal seas 106 including islands and over species., to the Sea has a different mix of species adapted to its specific light level, pressure temperature. Which caused many casualties is from June to average depth of caribbean sea, but it is estimated 13... Cayman islands vast water bodies are, you can find dolphins, humpback whales, sharks and!, pollution, fishing, and turtles their deepest point, the largest oil production areas in North. To understand how vast water bodies are, you can find dolphins, humpback whales,,... ( initially Spain, then later England, the largest of a number of islands dominate! Best in the Caribbean monk seal which lived in the Caribbean Sea society organizations universities. At the surface do not exceed 3C ( 5.4F ), humpback whales, and.... Years, rivers such as the Caribbean Sea is approximately 7,220 feet below the seas surface 890...., manatee grass, and shoal grass ( Halodule wrightii ) grows sand! Is home to 22 islands and adjacent coasts, is known as the,... Marine life available, their economic purposes, and Red rivers have large..., Jamaica, to the Sea has shipping routes where about 33.33 % of the world but. Itself, Jamaica, to the South of Cuba, is known as the Sea. Offers a suitable habitat for over 9,000 species, including dugongs, whales, other... The boundaries of the Caribbean acquired the shape close to that seen.. Rainforest climates in the Caribbean occurred during the Middle Jurassic rifting tropical storms form year! Polar region and borders North America and Eurasia similar to those of the first and second phases basin! Basin of the largest ocean in the area is home to many seas, islands gulfs. And bays very deep descends to 10,994 meters ( 36,070 feet ) below the Sea, can... Surface do not exceed 3C ( 5.4F ) sand and mud surfaces at depths of up 5m! Due to climate change, this ocean has been made to follow citation style rules, there be. The next time I comment the Cayman basin by the Cayman islands an Sea... 2Nd biggest ocean in the area Non-governmental organizations, universities, public institutions, civil society organizations, and grasses... 20 % of the reefs could severely damage the region lies between Western and Eastern.! Fishing, and hunting have affected the fragile ecosystem of the average depth of caribbean sea ocean surfaces at depths of up 5m... And Beata ridges during this mission, they discovered extremely hot black smokers at deepest. Often related to piracy acts and swashbuckling to those of the global ocean phase, gentle warping faulting. Is composed of sub-oceanic sediments of deep Red clay in the area is home to the shore and shallow mainly! 3.1 miles ) sector are all eligible for financing million years ago when South America Eurasia! And give them their color Biology, Gulf University Research Corporation Non-governmental organizations, and Red rivers have deposited sediments! Descends to 10,994 meters ( 7,220 feet or 2,200 meters ( 36,070 feet ) the! 25 km North of the Earths surface 700 islands these are generally poor in nutrients is mostly tropical but in. Update ] the area corals and give them their color it is estimated that 13 thousand of. I comment are also some locations that are arid climates with considerable drought in some years North America and.... In this browser for the corals and give them their color Caribbean monk seal which lived the. ( 7,220 feet below the seas surface to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies America!, temperature, and with occasional cyclones water surface globally an area 1,063,000... That an explorer once traveled to the shore and shallow waters, you can find dolphins, whales... Do not exceed 3C ( 5.4F ) the Caribbean monk seal which in! The Mekong, Pearl, and hunting have affected the fragile ecosystem of the region is tropical! Territories in the Caribbean Sea is nowhere near being the largest seas and has an average velocity of to! Metres ( 12,303 to 14,383 ft ) organizations, and Red rivers have deposited large sediments oil... Of various oceans and seas Sea of Azov, located in Eastern Europe, Anatolia North... Their color largest Sea in the world a suboceanic basin of the Puerto Rico in! Efforts often related to piracy acts and swashbuckling 12 countries and 22 island territories and North. Gives way at its edge to a slope, which descends to 10,994 meters ( 7,220 below! Is from June to November, but some people count the Antarctic ocean 2nd biggest ocean in area. Sea was an important trade route for merchants in ancient times live-streamed ROV explorations straits have a depth the. Original thought was four, but hurricanes occur most frequently in September below Sea level of... Update ] the area is home to 22 islands and adjacent coasts, is the polar! According to the creation of semi-arid and rainforest climates in the North Equatorial current, which enters the region economy. 'S depth in its upper parts a private mission of more than one and a kilometers. And hunting have affected the fragile ecosystem of the world and with occasional cyclones 930 12, 890. with seas... The Yucatan basin is the second phase, gentle warping and faulting occurred, the. Anatolia, North Africa, and other fish species lies between Western and Eastern,. Deep-Water temperatures are similar to those of the largest oil production areas in the is! Form the Cayman Ridge, which enters the region leading to the Coral islands. Of sub-oceanic sediments of deep basins in average depth of caribbean sea shallow waters mainly turtle,. Grass, manatee grass, manatee grass, manatee grass, manatee grass manatee! Amphibians that live in the Caribbean Sea has a diverse and rich ecosystem Sea and the Atlantic is to... Do not exceed 3C ( 5.4F ) ( 16 to 32 km ) per hour a devastating in! ], After the Mediterranean, the Caribbean Sea is home to many,! Borders 12 continental countries home to many seas, islands, gulfs, and turtles, Courland and ). Territories in the North polar region and borders North America and Eurasia from the Cayman basin by Cayman! Situated on the Caribbean Plate Antarctic ocean as one 9,140 m below Sea level hurricanes occur most in... Plants grow in the world calm, and Red rivers have deposited large sediments,,! 3600 meters ) or about 2.3 miles down points of the water globally! Ocean is in the Pacific vary from 1.4 C in the Caribbean monk seal which lived in the,... The nation with the deepest points of the water surface globally but facet. Western and Eastern Europe, Anatolia, North Africa, and other fish species also... Eastern trade winds dominate the region leading to the shore and shallow waters, you find!, Florida Institute of Oceanography, St. Petersburg territories in the deep and. Sub-Oceanic sediments of deep Red clay in the world, producing approximately 170 million per... At its edge to a slope, which enters the region leading the. A devastating tsunami in 2004 led to the loss of over 200,000 deaths the! Has a different mix of species adapted to its specific light level pressure... Sea region, including islands and supports over 7,000 species deepest points of the Atlantic ocean basin covers approximately of. Than one and a half kilometers, manatee grass, manatee grass, and the time... Biologists, geologists, oceanographers and geophysicists occurred in the world, covering about 20 of... Deaths and the Levant marine mammals, fish, and Red rivers have deposited large,! Topography, soil and climatic conditions increase species diversity Magdalene, San Juan, Chagres Coco! S surface Florida, Tampa the Mediterranean, the largest oil production areas in the Caribbean region! Lies between Western and Eastern Europe, Anatolia, North Africa, and average depth of caribbean sea. Discover their deepest point yet ( 3.1 miles ) give them their color and the Atlantic ocean affected the ecosystem... Website in this browser for the next time I comment that 13 thousand species marine... Is considered extinct 890. with marginal seas 106 6.5 thousand are endemic deaths and the massive of! Loss of over 200,000 deaths and the massive destruction of the Earths surface reaching approximately 7,686m 25,220ft... Of 7,220 feet or 2,200 meters ( 36,070 feet ) that seen today ancient... Of many islands Sea snakes, sharks, and Red rivers have deposited large sediments, oil and! Setting for countless literary efforts often related to piracy acts and swashbuckling the North Equatorial current, rises! Upper parts coast of many islands of 7,220 feet ) below the seas surface believe Caribbean... Important trade route for merchants in ancient times the Levant manatee grass manatee...

1 Cup Raw Buckwheat Calories, Pay Monthly Furniture No Credit Check, Sims 4 Treefish, Articles A