Magellan discovered the Pacific Ocean in the fall of 1520 and named the ocean the Pacific Ocean, “because,” as one of the participants reports, during the passage from Tierra del Fuego to the Philippine Islands, more than three months, “we never experienced the slightest storm.” By quantity (about 10 thousand) and total area islands (about 3.6 million km²) The Pacific Ocean ranks first among the oceans. In the northern part - Aleutian; in the west - Kuril, Sakhalin, Japanese, Philippine, Greater and Lesser Sunda, New Guinea, New Zealand, Tasmania; in the central and southern regions there are numerous small islands. The bottom topography is varied. In the east - the East Pacific Rise, in the central part there are many basins (North-Eastern, North-Western, Central, Eastern, Southern, etc.), deep-sea trenches: in the north - Aleutian, Kuril-Kamchatka, Izu-Boninsky; in the west - Mariana (with the maximum depth of the World Ocean - 11,022 m), Philippine, etc.; in the east - Central American, Peruvian, etc.
Basic surface currents: in the northern part Pacific Ocean- warm Kuroshio, North Pacific and Alaska and cold California and Kuril; in the southern part - the warm South Trade Wind and East Australian Wind and the cold Western Wind and Peruvian Wind. The water temperature on the surface at the equator is from 26 to 29 °C, in the polar regions up to −0.5 °C. Salinity 30-36.5 ‰. The Pacific Ocean accounts for about half of the world's fish catch (pollock, herring, salmon, cod, sea bass, etc.). Extraction of crabs, shrimps, oysters.
Important sea and air communications between the countries of the Pacific basin and transit routes between the countries of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Major ports: Vladivostok, Nakhodka (Russia), Shanghai (China), Singapore (Singapore), Sydney (Australia), Vancouver (Canada), Los Angeles, Long Beach (USA), Huasco (Chile). The International Date Line runs across the Pacific Ocean along the 180th meridian.
Plant life (except bacteria and lower fungi) is concentrated in the upper 200th layer, in the so-called euphotic zone. Animals and bacteria inhabit the entire water column and the ocean floor. Life develops most abundantly in the shelf zone and especially near the coast at shallow depths, where the temperate zones of the ocean contain a diverse flora of brown algae and a rich fauna of mollusks, worms, crustaceans, echinoderms and other organisms. In tropical latitudes, the shallow-water zone is characterized by widespread and strong development coral reefs, near the shore - mangroves. As we move from cold zones to tropical zones, the number of species increases sharply, and the density of their distribution decreases. About 50 species of coastal algae - macrophytes are known in the Bering Strait, over 200 near the Japanese Islands, over 800 in the waters of the Malay Archipelago. In the Soviet Far Eastern seas known species animals - about 4000, and in the waters of the Malay Archipelago - at least 40-50 thousand. In the cold and temperate zones of the ocean, with a relatively small number of plant and animal species, due to the massive development of some species, the total biomass increases greatly; in the tropical zones, individual forms do not receive such a sharp predominance, although the number of species is very large.
When moving away from the coasts to central parts ocean and with increasing depth life becomes less diverse and less abundant. In general, the fauna of T. o. includes about 100 thousand species, but only 4-5% of them are found deeper than 2000 m. At depths of more than 5000 m, about 800 species of animals are known, more than 6000 m - about 500, deeper than 7000 m - slightly more than 200, and deeper than 10 thousand m - only about 20 species.
Among coastal algae - macrophytes - in temperate zones, fucus and kelp are especially notable for their abundance. In tropical latitudes they are replaced brown algae- sargassum, green algae - caulerpa and halimeda and a number of red algae. The surface pelagic zone is characterized massive development unicellular algae(phytoplankton), mainly diatoms, peridinians and coccolithophores. In zooplankton highest value have various crustaceans and their larvae, mainly copepods (at least 1000 species) and euphausids; there is a significant admixture of radiolarians (several hundred species), coelenterates (siphonophores, jellyfish, ctenophores), eggs and larvae of fish and benthic invertebrates. In T. o. can be distinguished, in addition to the littoral and sublittoral zones, transition zone(up to 500-1000 m), bathyal, abyssal and ultra-abyssal, or the zone of deep-sea trenches (from 6-7 to 11 thousand m).
Planktonic and bottom animals provide abundant food for fish and marine mammals (nekton). The fish fauna is exceptionally rich, including at least 2000 species in tropical latitudes and about 800 in the Soviet Far Eastern seas, where there are, in addition, 35 species of marine mammals. The most commercially important fish are: anchovies, Far Eastern salmon, herring, mackerel, sardine, saury, sea bass, tuna, flounder, cod and pollock; among mammals - sperm whale, several species of minke whales, fur seal, sea otter, walrus, sea lion; from invertebrates - crabs (including Kamchatka crab), shrimp, oysters, scallops, cephalopods and much more; from plants - kelp (sea kale), agarone-anfeltia, sea grass zoster and phyllospadix. Many representatives of the fauna of the Pacific Ocean are endemic (the pelagic cephalopod nautilus, most Pacific salmon, saury, greenling fish, northern fur seal, sea lion, sea otter, and many others).
The large extent of the Pacific Ocean from North to South determines the diversity of its climates - from equatorial to subarctic in the North and Antarctic in the South Most of the ocean surface, approximately between 40° northern latitude and 42° south latitude, located in the equatorial, tropical and subtropical climate zones. The atmospheric circulation over the Pacific Ocean is determined by the main areas atmospheric pressure: Aleutian minimum, North Pacific, South Pacific and Antarctic maximums. These centers of atmospheric action in their interaction determine the great constancy of northeastern winds in the North and southeastern winds of moderate strength in the South - trade winds - in the tropical and subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean and strong westerly winds in temperate latitudes. Particularly strong winds are observed in the southern temperate latitudes, where the frequency of storms is 25-35%, in the northern temperate latitudes in winter - 30%, in summer - 5%. In the West of the tropical zone, tropical hurricanes - typhoons - are frequent from June to November. The northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean is characterized by monsoon atmospheric circulation. average temperature air in February decreases from 26-27 °C at the equator to –20 °C in the Bering Strait and –10 °C off the coast of Antarctica. In August, the average temperature varies from 26-28 °C at the equator to 6-8 °C in the Bering Strait and to –25 °C off the coast of Antarctica. Throughout the entire Pacific Ocean, located north of 40° south latitude, there are significant differences in air temperature between the eastern and western parts of the ocean, caused by the corresponding dominance of warm or cold currents and the nature of the winds. In tropical and subtropical latitudes, the air temperature in the East is 4-8 °C lower than in the West. In the northern temperate latitudes, the opposite is true: in the East the temperature is 8-12 °C higher than in the West. Average annual cloudiness in the regions low pressure atmosphere is 60-90%. high pressure- 10-30%. Average annual quantity precipitation at the equator is more than 3000 mm, in temperate latitudes - 1000 mm in the West. and 2000-3000 mm on E. Least quantity precipitation (100-200 mm) falls on the eastern outskirts of subtropical areas of high atmospheric pressure; V western parts the amount of precipitation increases to 1500-2000 mm. Fogs are typical for temperate latitudes, they are especially frequent in the Kuril Islands area.
Under the influence of atmospheric circulation developing over the Pacific Ocean, surface currents form anticyclonic gyres in subtropical and tropical latitudes and cyclonic gyres in northern temperate and southern high latitudes. In the northern part of the ocean, the circulation is formed by warm currents: the North Trade Wind - Kuroshio and the North Pacific and cold California Current. In the northern temperate latitudes, the cold Kuril Current dominates in the West, and the warm Alaskan Current dominates in the East. In the southern part of the ocean, the anticyclonic circulation is formed by warm currents: the South Trade Wind, East Australian, zonal South Pacific and cold Peruvian. North of the equator, between 2-4° and 8-12° northern latitude, northern and southern circulations are separated throughout the year by the Intertrade Wind (Equatorial) Countercurrent.
The average temperature of the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean (19.37 °C) is 2 °C higher than the temperature of the waters of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, which is the result of relatively large sizes that part of the Pacific Ocean area that is located in well-warmed latitudes (over 20 kcal/cm2 per year), and limited communication with the Arctic Ocean. The average water temperature in February varies from 26-28 °C at the equator to -0.5, -1 °C north of 58° north latitude, near the Kuril Islands and south of 67° south latitude. In August, the temperature is 25-29 °C at the equator, 5-8 °C in the Bering Strait and -0.5, -1 °C south of 60-62° south latitude. Between 40° south latitude and 40° north latitude, the temperature in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean is 3-5 °C lower than in the western part. North of 40° north latitude, the opposite is true: in the East the temperature is 4-7 °C higher than in the West. South of 40° south latitude, where zonal transport of surface water predominates, there is no difference between water temperatures in the East and West. In the Pacific Ocean there is more precipitation than evaporating water. Taking into account river flow, over 30 thousand km3 of fresh water enters here annually. Therefore, the salinity of surface waters is T. o. lower than in other oceans ( medium salinity equal to 34.58‰). The lowest salinity (30.0-31.0‰ and less) is observed in the West and East of the northern temperate latitudes and in the coastal areas of the eastern part of the ocean, the highest (35.5‰ and 36.5‰) - in the northern and southern subtropical latitudes, respectively. latitudes At the equator, water salinity decreases from 34.5‰ or less, in high latitudes - to 32.0‰ or less in the North, to 33.5‰ or less in the South.
The density of water on the surface of the Pacific Ocean increases fairly uniformly from the equator to high latitudes in accordance with general character distribution of temperature and salinity: at the equator 1.0215-1.0225 g/cm3, in the North - 1.0265 g/cm3 or more, in the South - 1.0275 g/cm3 or more. The color of the water in subtropical and tropical latitudes is blue, transparency in some places is more than 50 m. In the northern temperate latitudes, the color of the water is dark blue, along the coast it is greenish, transparency is 15-25 m. In Antarctic latitudes, the color of the water is greenish, transparency is up to 25 m .
Tides in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean are dominated by irregular semidiurnal (height up to 5.4 m in the Gulf of Alaska) and semidiurnal (up to 12.9 m in Penzhinskaya Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk). The Solomon Islands and part of the coast of New Guinea have daily tides of up to 2.5 m. The strongest wind waves are observed between 40 and 60° south latitude, in latitudes where westerly storm winds dominate (the “roaring forties”), in the Northern Hemisphere - to the north 40° north latitude. Maximum height wind waves in the Pacific Ocean are 15 m or more, length over 300 m. Tsunami waves are characteristic, especially often noted in the northern, southwestern and southeastern parts Pacific Ocean.
Ice in the North Pacific Ocean forms in seas with harsh winter conditions. climatic conditions(Bering, Okhotsk, Japanese, Yellow) and in the bays off the coast of Hokkaido, the Kamchatka and Alaska peninsulas. In winter and spring, ice is carried by the Kuril Current to the extreme northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. Small icebergs are found in the Gulf of Alaska. In the South Pacific, ice and icebergs form off the coast of Antarctica and are carried by currents and winds to open ocean. Northern border floating ice in winter it passes at 61-64° south latitude, in summer it shifts to 70° south latitude, icebergs at the end of summer are carried to 46-48° south latitude. Icebergs are formed mainly in the Ross Sea.
Western. The western part of the belt is characterized by monsoon circulation, sometimes typhoons come here. Of the climatic zones presented in the table, the Pacific Ocean accounts for almost all of them except the North Polar (Arctic). The northern subpolar (subarctic) belt occupies most Bering and Okhotsk seas. In the Pacific Ocean, the northern subpolar belt has some features.
The Soviet scientist D.V. Bogdanov divided the ocean into areas that were homogeneous in terms of the prevailing conditions in them natural processes. Description of the climate zone of the Pacific Ocean: B winter time within the belt are formed large masses ice, the salinity increases.
In the north of the northern temperate climatic zone of the Pacific Ocean there is the Aleutian minimum of atmospheric pressure, well expressed in winter, in the south there is the northern part of the Hawaiian maximum. Northern trade wind current. It is located on both sides of the equator at approximately 20° N. w. up to 20° south sh., between the northern and southern tropical zones. Tropical water masses are also well heated by the sun, but the water temperature here is lower than in equatorial latitudes and amounts to 20-25°C.
On eastern outskirts belt along the coast of Chile from south to north, the coastal Peruvian Current can be traced, in the west – the warm East Australian Current. Description of the Pacific climate zone: The deviation of the belt boundaries from the latitudinal extent is associated with the circulation of surface waters and the atmosphere. Flora and fauna are characteristic of both the Antarctic and temperate zones, but there are also endemic species. The waters are rich in fish, krill and plankton, whales are common, and seals and penguins are found near the islands.
The water area of the Southern subpolar climate zone of the Pacific Ocean is especially wide in the area of the Ross Sea, which penetrates deep into the Antarctic continent. In the Ross Sea, ocean waters extend far beyond the South Arctic Circle, almost to 80° S. sh., and taking into account ice shelves - even further.
The water masses of the southern polar climate zone of the Pacific Ocean are characterized by an abundance of floating ice, as well as ice that forms huge ice spaces. In the Southern Hemisphere, in areas of polar water masses, sea ice extends into temperate latitudes much further than in the Northern Hemisphere.
The first climate classifications appeared back in the 70s years XIX centuries and were descriptive in nature. According to the classification of Moscow State University professor B.P. Alisov, there are 7 types of climates on Earth, which make up climatic zones. 4 of them are basic, and 3 are transitional. In this type of climate, the state of the atmosphere over the continent and the ocean is different, therefore continental tropical climate and oceanic tropical climate. The oceanic tropical climate is similar to the equatorial climate, but differs from it in less cloudiness and stable winds.
There is a significant influence of westerly winds, bringing precipitation throughout the year. Summer in this climate zone is moderately warm (from +10°C to +25-28°C). It blows here in winter cold wind from the continent, so winter is clear and cold (-20-27°C).
Above 70° north and 65° south latitudes, a polar climate prevails, forming two zones: Arctic and Antarctic. In transitional climate zones, air masses change seasonally.
In summer, this belt is dominated by equatorial air masses, and in winter by tropical ones. The southern subequatorial belt includes: South America (Amazonian lowland, Brazil); Africa (centre and east of the continent); Australia ( north coast mainland). This circulation air masses determines the following weather in these areas: hot, dry summer (from +30 to +50°C) and relatively Cold winter with precipitation, no stable snow cover is formed.
The northern temperate zone is a vast ocean area stretching from Asia to North America. The belt is characterized by high temperature and water salinity, low bioproductivity. They often originate between the islands of Samoa and Fiji and move west to the shores of Australia. The axis of the belt in the open part of the ocean is the subtropical convergence zone, where the waters of the South Trade Wind Current and the northern jet of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current converge.
Description of the climate zone of the Pacific Ocean: Trade winds dominate in a significant part of the belt Northern Hemisphere and the Northern Trade Wind Current. Equatorial belt occupies a vast and complex area of water in the Pacific Ocean. Most of the surface of the Pacific Ocean, approximately between 40° north latitude and 42° south latitude, is located in the equatorial, tropical and subtropical climate zones.
Climatic zones of the Pacific Ocean. What are the climate zones of the Pacific Ocean?
- Northern subpolar (subarctic) belt, Northern temperate zone, Northern sub tropical zone, Northern tropical belt, Equatorial belt, Southern tropical belt, Southern subtropical belt, Southern temperate zone, ,
- Subarctic, 2 temperate (on both sides of the Equator), 2 subtropical (on both sides of the Equator), 2 subequatorial (on both sides of the Equator), equatorial, subantarctic and antarctic (or, if we highlight the one washing Antarctica South ocean, then to temperate south of the Equator).
- The western and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean differ significantly from each other and from the central regions of the ocean. As a result, physiographic regions are usually distinguished within the belts. In each specific area natural conditions and the processes are determined by the position in relation to the continents and islands, the depth of the ocean, the peculiarity of the circulation of air and water, etc. In the western part of the Pacific Ocean, marginal and interisland seas are usually isolated as physiographic regions, in eastern zone intense upwelling.
Northern subpolar (subarctic) belt
Unlike Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific part of the belt is quite isolated from the influence of the North Arctic Ocean. The belt occupies most of the Bering and Okhotsk seas.
In autumn and winter, the surface layer of water cools to the freezing point, and large masses of ice form. Cooling is accompanied by salinization of water. In summer, sea ice gradually disappears, the temperature of the thin upper layer rises to 3-5C, in the south up to 10C. Below is saved cold water, forming an intermediate layer formed as a result of winter cooling. Thermohaline convection, summer warming and desalination of water (30-33% o) as a result of ice melting, the interaction of jets of warm currents (Aleutian) with cold subpolar waters determine relatively great content nutrients in surface waters and high bioproductivity of the subarctic zone. Nutrients are not lost at great depths, since there are extensive shelves within the water area. In the subarctic zone, two regions are distinguished: the Bering and Okhotsk seas, rich in valuable commercial fish, invertebrates and marine animals.
Northern temperate zone
In the west of the belt, the warm Kuroshio Current and the cold Kuril Current (Oyashio) interact. From the resulting flows with mixed water, the North Pacific Current is formed, which occupies a significant part of the water area and transports huge masses of water and heat from west to east under the influence of the prevailing westerly winds. Water temperature throughout the year in temperate zone fluctuates greatly. In winter, off the coast, it can drop to 0C, in summer it rises to 1520C (in the Yellow Sea up to 28C). Ice forms only in limited inland areas of shallow seas (for example, in the northern part Sea of Japan). In winter, vertical thermal convection of water develops with the participation of intense wind mixing: cyclonic activity is active in temperate latitudes. High content oxygen and nutrients in water provides relatively greater bioproductivity, and its value in the northern part of the belt (subpolar waters) is higher than in the southern part (subtropical waters). The water salinity in the northern half of the water area is 33%o, in the southern half it is close to the average 35%o. The western part of the belt is characterized by monsoon circulation, sometimes typhoons come here. Within the belt, the areas of the Japanese and Yellow Seas and the Gulf of Alaska are distinguished.
Northern subtropical zone
Due to the prevailing subsidence of air and its stable stratification within the belt, it is usually clear sky, low precipitation and relatively dry air. There are no prevailing air currents here, the winds are weak and changeable, and calms are typical. Evaporation is very high due to dry air and high - In the Pacific Ocean, all climatic zones are distinguished with the exception of the North Polar (Arctic).
Northern temperate zone
In the Pacific Ocean, it covers vast areas from Asia to North America and occupies an intermediate position between the main areas of formation of cold subarctic and warm subtropical and tropical waters.Northern subtropical zone
It is located between the zone of westerly winds of temperate latitudes and trade winds of equatorial-tropical latitudes. The middle part of the water area is surrounded by a northern subtropical ring of currents.Northern tropical zone
Equatorial belt
Southern tropical zone
Southern subtropical zone
South temperate zone
Southern subpolar (subantarctic) belt
South polar (Antarctic) belt
- In the Pacific Ocean, all climatic zones are distinguished with the exception of the North Polar (Arctic).
Northern subpolar (subarctic) belt- Belt occupies most of the Bering and Okhotsk seas.Northern temperate zone
In the Pacific Ocean, it covers vast areas from Asia to North America and occupies an intermediate position between the main areas of formation of cold subarctic and warm subtropical and tropical waters.Northern subtropical zone
It is located between the zone of westerly winds of temperate latitudes and trade winds of equatorial-tropical latitudes. The middle part of the water area is surrounded by a northern subtropical ring of currents.Northern tropical zone
This belt stretches from the coast of Indochina to the coast of Mexico and Central America. Steady trade winds of the Northern Hemisphere dominate here.Equatorial belt
This belt in the Pacific Ocean is widely represented. This is the zone of convergence of the North and North trade winds. Southern hemispheres with a calm zone where weak easterly winds are observed. Intense thermal convection of air develops here, and heavy rainfall occurs throughout the year.Southern tropical zone
It occupies a vast body of water between Australia and Peru. This is the trade wind zone of the Southern Hemisphere.Southern subtropical zone
This belt extends from south-eastern Australia and Tasmania to the coast South America between 20 and 35 south. w.South temperate zone
It includes the large northern part of the circumpolar Western Winds Current. Its southern border runs along the edge of the distribution sea ice in September in the area of 61-63 south. w.Southern subpolar (subantarctic) belt
The boundaries of this belt in the Pacific Ocean, compared to other oceans, are shifted to the south (at 63-75 S latitude). The water area is especially wide in the area of the Ross Sea, which penetrates deep into the Antarctic continent. In winter, the waters are covered with ice.South polar (Antarctic) belt
Within the Pacific Ocean it is quite extensive. In the Ross Sea, ocean waters extend far beyond the Antarctic Circle, almost to 80 south. sh., and taking into account ice shelves even further. East of McMurdo Sound, the cliff of the Ross Ice Shelf (Great Ice Barrier) stretches for hundreds of kilometers.
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1. I love walks by the sea. I never get tired of them, because they are always different. The sea itself is never the same. It is changeable in nature. Today it is calm and quiet and as if there is nothing more gentle than its light waves. Water reflects warm Sun rays and blinds eyes not accustomed to bright light. The warm sand pleasantly warms my feet, and my skin turns golden tan. And tomorrow the sea will stir strong wind and the majestic waves are already beating against the shore with the force of a huge beast. Blue sky will turn gray and stormy. And that calm happiness is no longer there quiet sea. However, this also has its own charm. This is the beauty of rawness and strength. Even the color sea water It often changes - sometimes it is almost blue, sometimes dark blue, sometimes greenish. It’s impossible to even list all its shades.
How much beauty lies within depths of the sea. Small fish swim in schools among green and yellowish algae. And the sandy bottom is covered with shells, like precious stones. I love collecting shells. I like to imagine what I find lost treasures from sunken ships. How many such jewels are still hidden in the depths of the sea?
There is nothing better than spending a day at sea. You can have fun and swim with your family and friends. And sometimes you just want to take a walk alone, feel the peace while listening to the sound of the waves.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea (“Sea of Salt”; also Asphalt Sea, Sea of Sodom) is an endorheic salt lake between Israel and Jordan. The water level in the Dead Sea is 430 m below sea level and is falling at a rate of approximately 1 m per year. The lake coast is the lowest landmass on Earth. The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth, salinity is 300-310 ‰, in some years up to 350 ‰. The sea is 67 km long, 18 km wide at its widest point, maximum depth 306 m.
The Jordan Valley, in which the Dead Sea lies, is unique geological formation. It was through its territory that the fault passed earth's crust and two continents were formed - Eurasia and Africa. The valley area is an active part of the Syrian-African mountain fault, which should lead to a complete separation of the continents. The truth will happen this is in a few million years. Earthquakes often occur here, sometimes very strong.
The modern boundaries of the Dead Sea were formed relatively recently - 20-40 thousand years ago thanks to the replenishment of the basin with the waters of numerous rivers, streams and the Jordan River. The salinity level of its water is constantly increasing, since there are no sources near the sea, and the evaporation of water from the surface is very active due to the hot climate of these places. Salt remains in the sea and its quantity is constantly increasing, since the flow of water for evaporation exceeds the flow from fresh springs.
The sea is gradually dying and will soon, indeed, become Dead. Only in the last 100 years it coastline went 40 meters down. Scientists believe that living Dead Sea no more than 700-800 years left.
For a long time The Dead Sea was considered completely lifeless. However, the nature of the planet knows many facts about the incredible adaptability of life in the most extreme conditions.
The same can be said about the Dead Sea. In its water, scientists discovered the smallest living organisms, which are single-celled creatures. In my own way biological structure they are similar to bacteria, but have different molecular composition. These microbes can live where no one else can survive. In addition to microbes, special molds have taken root in the waters of the Dead Sea. Well, when the season of prolonged rains arrives, flagellated algae, related to chlorella, begin to rapidly develop.
Since ancient times people have known about unique properties The Dead Sea and its locations. It's completely unusual here solar radiation, the composition of sea water, rich in various minerals and healing substances, thermal mineral springs and streams, healing mud and an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. All this gives reason to call the Dead Sea a healing place on the planet. Diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, arthritis and many other dangerous diseases are treated here.
For those who would like to get rid of such ailments, I provide a link to one of the resources offering treatment in Israel.