Atlantic & Indian Oceans

Atlantic Ocean

• The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest and busiest ocean.
• It is less than half the size of the Pacific Ocean.
• It covers 20.8% of the Earth's total surface area.
• The ocean is shaped like the alphabet "S."
• It contains many shallow seas, for example, the Caribbean Sea, Baltic Sea, North Sea, Black Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.
• The coastline is highly indented, providing many sites for natural harbors.
• The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an underwater mountain range on the ocean floor that runs roughly down the center.
• The Mid-Atlantic Ridge's total length is about 16,000 km from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Bouvet Islands in the south.

Indian Ocean

• The Indian Ocean is located mostly in the southern hemisphere.
• It is the only ocean named after a country.
• It covers 14.4% of the Earth's total surface area.
• It is enclosed on three sides: the north by the landmasses of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
• The Southern Ocean meets it on the southern side.
• The ocean is roughly triangular in shape.
• It has high oil reserves.
• The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are its two northward extensions.

Antarctic or Southern Ocean

• It surrounds Antarctica.
• It occupies about 4% of the Earth's surface area.
• Large ice sheets cover this ocean for most of the year.
• Seas adjacent to it include the Scotia Sea, Amundsen Sea, and Ross Sea.

Arctic Ocean

• The Arctic Ocean is the world's smallest ocean, covering 2.8% of the Earth's total surface area.
• It is enclosed by the landmasses of North America, Asia, Greenland, and Europe.
• The Arctic Ocean is located north of the Arctic Circle.
• Many islands and marginal seas surround this ocean, such as the White Sea, the Baffin Bay, and the Kara Sea.

Ocean Water Circulation

• Ocean water is dynamic and moves continuously in vertical or horizontal ways.
• Movements are caused by factors such as differences in temperature and density, variations in salinity, and the effect of prevailing winds.
• Waves, tides, and currents are the major movements in oceans.

Waves

• Waves are a regular rise and fall of ocean and sea water due to the action of wind on the surface.
• The shape and size of waves depend on wind speed and other weather conditions.
• The upper part of a wave is a crest, while the lower part is a trough.
• Vertical distance between crest and trough defines wave height.
• Horizontal distance between two successive crests defines wavelength.

Explore the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Discover key facts about their size, location, and unique features such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and surrounding landmasses. Learn about Earth's major oceans.