Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench , located in the western north Pacific, is the deepest point in the world, reaching a depth of 10,928 meters (35,853 feet). The Pacific also contains the deepest point in the Southern Hemisphere, the Horizon Deep in the Tonga Trench, at 10,823 meters (35,509 feet).
Where is the North Pacific Ocean?
Where is the Pacific Ocean located? The Pacific Ocean is a body of salt water extending from the Antarctic region in the south to the Arctic in the north and lying between the continents of Asia and Australia on the west and North America and South America on the east .
Which term is used only in the northwestern part of Pacific Ocean?
The term typhoon is the regional name in the northwest Pacific for a severe (or mature) tropical cyclone, whereas hurricane is the regional term in the northeast Pacific and northern Atlantic.
What does North Pacific Ocean mean?
noun. the northern part of the Pacific Ocean , extending from the equator to the Arctic Ocean.
What do we call the area around the Pacific Ocean?
The Ring of Fire, also referred to as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
Who named the Pacific ocean and what does it mean?
Explorer Ferdinand Magellan named the Pacific Ocean in the 16th Century. ... He called this body of water pacific, due to the calmness of the water at the time (‘pacific’ means peaceful). When Magellan and his crew entered the Pacific Ocean after their long journey, they thought that the Spice Islands were close at hand.
How many countries are in the Pacific ocean?
The Pacific Ocean is home to 23 island countries . These include large island countries, like Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as small countries located in Oceania.
What ocean is the most traveled?
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of Earth’s five oceans, the most heavily traveled, and the most intensely studied, principally because of its importance in ship traffic between Europe and North America. This ocean’s name is derived from Atlas, one of the Titans of Greek mythology.
What are 3 interesting facts about the Pacific ocean?
- #1 The Pacific Ocean was named by Ferdinand Magellan. ...
- #2 The Pacific Ocean is shrinking. ...
- #3 The first European to discover the Pacific Ocean was Vasco Núñez de Balboa. ...
- #4 The deepest point in the Pacific Ocean is in the Mariana Trench.
What is difference between sea and ocean?
In terms of geography, seas are smaller than oceans and are usually located where the land and ocean meet. Typically, seas are partially enclosed by land. Seas are found on the margins of the ocean and are partially enclosed by land.
What is the deepest ocean in the world?
The Mariana Trench, in the Pacific Ocean , is the deepest location on Earth. According to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the United States has jurisdiction over the trench and its resources.
Which is the smallest ocean in the world?
The Central Arctic Ocean is the world’s smallest ocean and is surrounded by Eurasia and North America. This ocean at the apex of our planet, is home to unique species that have nowhere else to go.
Why is the Pacific higher than the Atlantic?
Sea level is about 20 cm higher on the Pacific side than the Atlantic due to the water being less dense on average on the Pacific side and due to the prevailing weather and ocean conditions. Such sea level differences are common across many short sections of land dividing ocean basins.
Why Australia is called Oceania?
Australia is the largest landmass on the continent of Australia. Oceania is a region made up of thousands of islands throughout the Central and South Pacific Ocean. ... The name “Oceania” justly establishes the Pacific Ocean as the defining characteristic of the continent .
What countries are in the Ring of Fire?
The Pacific Ring of Fire stretches across 15 more countries including Indonesia, New Zealand, Papa New Guinea, Philippines, Japan, United States, Chile, Canada, Guatemala, Russia and Peru etc (fig. 3).
Why are earthquakes most common around the Pacific ocean?
Over 80 per cent of large earthquakes occur around the edges of the Pacific Ocean, an area known as the ‘ Ring of Fire ‘; this where the Pacific plate is being subducted beneath the surrounding plates. The Ring of Fire is the most seismically and volcanically active zone in the world.
