40m. These sills are located below the Anegada Passage, which runs between the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles, and the Windward Passage, which stretches between Cuba and Hispaniola. Tourism is also a big industry of the areas around the Caribbean Sea. The average depth is about 4,280 m. The volume of the Pacific Ocean reaches up to some 714 million cubic kilometers. 03 of 10 The South China Sea Taro Hama @ e-kamakura / Getty Images Area: 895,400 square miles (2,319,000 sq km) Average depth: 5,419 feet (1,652 m) Throughout history, the Arabian Sea served as an essential water body for numerous seaports and trade routes. The island of Jamaica is home to seals and manatees. ETOPO1 1 Arc-Minute Global Relief Model: Procedures, Data Sources and Analysis. The name Coral came from the numerous coral reefs, including the worlds largest known as the Great Barrier Reef. The average salinity of 35 0 / 00 is recorded between 10 0 -30 0 latitudes in the southern hemisphere. It is also well known as the location of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. National Geophysical Data Center, 1999. More than 170 species of amphibians are found in the Caribbean including poison dart frogs, tree frogs, etc. The Caribbean Sea is also considered to be home to a large fishing industry. without marginal seas 82. Elder, Danny and Pernetta, John. The Caribbean Sea is connected with the Gulf of Mexico in the north via the Yucatan Channel. 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. The Caribbean remained like this for most of the Cenozoic until the Holocene when rising water levels of the oceans restored communication with the Atlantic Ocean. Technically, the Caribbean Sea is a suboceanic basin of the Atlantic Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is the oldest of all existing oceans. We dont know exactly what we can expect to see, said Lt. Brian Kennedy, the expeditions coordinator and a member of NOAAs Commissioned Officers Corps. In brackish water of harbours and estuaries at depths less than 2.5m (8ft 2in) widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) grows. Other areas to be explored include the Muertos Trough, Mona Channel and Virgin Islands Trough. 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. A lock ( Transport and trading activities across this sea attracted pirates in the 1560s. From there it divides to fill the Yucatn, Cayman, and Colombian basins at depths near 6,500 feet (2,000 metres). 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. Because the ocean is a big place and difficult to study, if you search online to find the depth of the ocean, you may end up with a range of results. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Located between the islands of the Greater Antilles and the continent of South America on the Caribbean Seas eastern part is the Lesser Antilles. [1] [2] The sea's deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at 7,686 . The American yellow warbler is found in many areas, as is the green heron. Closer to the shore and shallow waters, you can find dolphins, whales, sharks, and other fish species. As many as 40 scientists ashore are expected to participate remotely in the expedition. American Oceans, Stingray vs Manta Ray: Their Differences Explained. ADDITIONAL FACTS. It has an average depth of 7,220 feet or 2,200 meters. 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. A .gov Some of these notable endemic floral species include guaiac wood, Bayahibe rose, and ceiba. Sea of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by North, Central and South America. 100m. The Caribbean Sea experiences a tropical climate that is highly influenced by elevations, trade winds, and tropical ocean currents. The Mediterranean sea covers 0.7% of the planets ocean surface, making it one of the largest seas globally. The Cayman Trough, also known as the Bartlett Deep, is an interesting point in the sea because it sits on multiple tectonic plates, including the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate. Trying to understand the differences and boundaries between multiple oceans and seas is difficult. 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. The surface water colour is blue-green to green. [9] It is assumed the proto-caribbean basin existed in the Devonian period. Well be exploring an area of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone that science knows very little about, said Alan Leonardi, Ph.D, director of NOAAs Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, the federal program responsible for coordinating this expedition. Following the colonization of the Caribbean islands, the Caribbean Sea became a busy area for European-based marine trading and transports, and this commerce eventually attracted pirates such as Samuel Bellamy and Blackbeard. The climate of the Caribbean generally is tropical, but there are great local variations, depending on mountain elevation, water currents, and the trade winds. The Caribbean Sea is subdivided into five basins that are separated from each other by submerged ranges and ridges. 700 85. But with each expedition we reach new audiences who are fascinated by what we are seeing in the deep ocean. The Yucatn Channel between Mexico and Cuba links the Gulf of Mexico with the Caribbean. Average monthly air temperatures in winter vary from +23 in the north to +27 C on the southern coast of the sea. This sea was an important trade route for merchants in ancient times. The seas deepest point is the Cayman Trough, between the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, at 7,686 meters (25,220 feet) below sea level. Geographicus, a seller of fine antique maps, explains: "This is Herman Molls small but significant c. 1732 map of the West Indies. The Caribbean Sea is an oceanic sea largely situated on the Caribbean Plate. It covers about 1/3 of the Earth. Off the northeastern coast of South America, this current splits into the Caribbean Current, which passes into the Caribbean Sea and through the . Each zone has a different mix of species adapted to its specific light level, pressure, temperature, and community. depth; 21ft capability; it can accomodate yachts in excess of 380ft. Mount Jamanota of 188 m (617 ft) is the highest point. That makes this point one of the lowest points on the surface of the Earth, and the Caribbean Sea is the deepest sea (excluding oceans) in the world. Omissions? According to the National Ocean Service, the oldest rock in this ocean dates back about 200 million years. The geologic age of the Caribbean is not known with certainty. The sill depth of Anegada Passage is between 6,400 and 7,700 feet (1,950 and 2,350 metres), whereas that of the Windward Passage is between 5,250 and 5,350 feet (1,600 and 1,630 metres). Despite this, the Caribbean Sea is considered a relatively shallow sea in comparison to other bodies of water. Sea level rise seen along the U.S. Southeast and Gulf coasts over the last decade are "unprecedented in at least 120 years," scientists found. The expedition team also relied on these maps to determine where the ROV dives will take place. The Caribbean Sea is nowhere near being the largest sea in the world, but it is still very deep! The average depth is about 2,200 meters (7,220 feet) below the seas surface. The Arctic Ocean is home to thousands of islands, including the Arctic Archipelago north of Canada. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The youngest stretches from the Lesser Antilles to the Virgin Islands to the north east of Trinidad and Tobago off the coast of Venezuela. Deepest Point: Cayman Trough (25,216 feet). He also traveled to the deepest point in the world, Marianas trench. While the ocean has an average depth of 2.3 miles, the shape and depth of the seafloor is complex. The Southern Ocean is geologically the worlds youngest ocean. The region has several types of sea turtle (loggerhead, green turtle, hawksbill, leatherback turtle, Atlantic ridley and olive ridley). Let us know. Over 42% of corals are completely bleached, and 95% are experiencing some type of whitening. The Pacific Ocean borders the continents of North and South America, Asia, and Australia. Since 2005 unusually warm Caribbean waters have been increasingly threatening Caribbean coral reefs. The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. Surface. 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. 150m. depth: 3,750 to 4,384 metres (12,303 to 14,383 ft) . Have some feedback for us? Subantarctic intermediate water (i.e., water differing in several characteristics from the surface and bottom layers of water that it separates) enters the Caribbean below the Anegada Passage at depths of 1,600 to 3,300 feet (500 to 1,000 metres). The findings indicate that heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead, have been identified in the coastal zone of the Caribbean Sea. The younger Cenozoic beds (formed during the last 65 million years) are generally horizontal, having been laid down after the deformations occurred. 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 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). (Image credit: NOAA) Download Image During dives that are expected to go as deep as 3.7 miles, a sophisticated unmanned submarine, called a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, will broadcast live video from the seafloor, allowing anyone with Internet access to watch the expedition as it unfolds. While the Southern. There are 500 species of reptiles. The Caribbean is the setting for countless literary efforts often related to piracy acts and swashbuckling. Several islands dot the Mediterranean Sea, some of which formed through volcanic eruptions. 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. 100 354. The emergence of deep basins in the Caribbean occurred during the Middle Jurassic rifting. Live video from a 2013 expedition to deep-sea canyons off the northeast Atlantic coast of the U.S. garnered more than 875,000 views, he said. Within the sea, you can find large mammals like dolphins, humpback whales, and. More than 90 mammalian species are found in the Caribbean including dolphins, humpback whales, sperm whales, manatees, Solenodons, hutias, etc. The Arabian Sea is part of the northern Indian Ocean and sits between the Arabian Peninsula, India, the Gulf of Oman, Pakistan, and Iran. It is fed by the westward-flowing North Equatorial Current moving from North Africa to the West Indies. 200 3, 330 10, 920. The green iguana is invasive to Grand Cayman. It has an average depth (with its seas) of 11,962 feet (3,646 metres) and a maximum depth of 27,493 feet (8,380 metres) in the Puerto Rico Trench, north of the island of Puerto Rico. The islands which make up the Greater Antilles include Hispaniola Island (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Jamaica, Cuba, Cayman Island, and Puerto Rico. Christopher Columbus was the first European to enter the Caribbean Sea and land on the Island of Bahamas in 1492. You can find many types of corals in the Caribbean Sea, like the great star coral, mustard hill coral, and massive starlet coral. p. 124. It lies between latitudes 30 and 46 N and longitudes 6 W and 36 E. [15], The habitats supported by the reefs are critical to such tourist activities as fishing and diving, and provide an annual economic value to Caribbean nations of US$3.14.6billion. There are 170 species of amphibians that live in the region. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The American Oceans Campaign is dedicated primarily to the restoration, protection, and preservation of the health and vitality of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, wetlands, and oceans. It runs along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. 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. 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. Moll's map covers all of the West Indies . The Puerto Rico Trench, located just north of Puerto Rico, is the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean. 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. In summer, the average monthly temperature everywhere is about +28 C. Cloudiness is 4-5 points. The South China Sea sits between South China, Indochinese Peninsula, the Philippines, and several islands. Other floral species that are found in the Caribbean region include mahogany, caimito, coconut palms, and mangroves. When I am not writing, you can find me in front of my TV with a blanket, snacks, and my fur babies. 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 Caribbean coastline has many gulfs and bays: the Gulf of Gonve, Gulf of Venezuela, Gulf of Darin, Golfo de los Mosquitos, Gulf of Paria and Gulf of Honduras. There was a very serious eruption of Mount Pele in 1902 which caused many casualties. Annual variations in monthly average water temperatures at the surface do not exceed 3C (5.4F). However, a devastating tsunami in 2004 led to the loss of over 200,000 deaths and the massive destruction of property. Over the years, rivers such as the Mekong, Pearl, and Red Rivers have deposited large sediments, oil, and gasses. [31] The black-fronted piping guan is endangered. Antigua Yacht Club Marina depth; can accomodate yachts with draft in excess of 25ft. provide an annual economic value to Caribbean nations of $3.1$4.6 billion. The Atlantic is home to many seas, islands, gulfs, and bays. It is broadest in the west and at the head of Kerch Strait but elsewhere forms a rim about 6 to 7 miles (10 to 11 km) wide, and the depth of the edge is usually less than 360 feet (110 metres). 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. 4. In neither hydrology nor climate, however, does the Caribbean resemble the Mediterranean. Caribbean Sea 4 - Caribbean Sea (Average Depth: 8,685 ft) Wiki: The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere. The area is so deep; that the temperatures reach near freezing levels. The Lesser Antilles are further divided into three major island groups: the Leeward Islands comprising of Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, US Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Martins, Saint Kitts, and Nevis, Saint Barthelemy, and Montserrat. Islands are inhabited by some endemic species such as rock iguanas and American crocodile. The hydrology of the sea has a high level of homogeneity. Coral reefs support some of the most diverse marine habitats in the world, but they are fragile ecosystems. This sea has a rich history of exploration, especially by Christopher Columbus. 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. On continental slopes and ridges calcareous silts are found. 830 324. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, named this massive water body Pacific in 1520, meaning peaceful.. While some people believe the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are the same, this is only partially true. New York: Random House. During this mission, they discovered extremely hot black smokers at the deepest point yet (3.1 miles). But, he added, scientists do know a few things about the area: They know that it is tectonically active, with some seismic hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Tourist attractions of the region are those generally associated with a maritime tropical climate: Scuba diving and snorkeling on coral reefs, cruises, sailing, and game fishing at sea. 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 Yucatan Basin is partially separated from the Cayman Basin by the Cayman Ridge, which rises above to form the Cayman Islands. The Caribbean Sea is part of the western Atlantic Ocean, located between Central America, Mexico, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and Cuba. The smallest sea on the planet is the Sea of Marmara, with a total surface area of 11,350 square kilometers. In the Caribbean Sea, piracy was very rampant during the 1500s and 1600s. PC-566 began dropping depth charges on a sonar contact, . According to the National Hurricane Center 385 hurricanes occurred in the Caribbean between 1494 and 1900. / 00 is recorded between 10 0 -30 0 latitudes in the Caribbean Sea is nowhere near the! Depth charges on a sonar contact, live in the 1560s Sea largely situated on the Caribbean is green! Philippines, and 95 % are experiencing some type of whitening the of. Runs along the Caribbean accomodate yachts with draft in excess of 380ft iguanas. Borders the continents of north and South America variations in monthly average water temperatures at the do... Since 2005 unusually warm Caribbean waters have been increasingly threatening Caribbean coral reefs of Marmara, a... Including islands and adjacent coasts, is known as the location of the seafloor is complex & x27! % are experiencing some type of whitening guan is endangered average depth of caribbean sea is the point! Divides to fill the Yucatn Channel between Mexico and Cuba links the Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, the! Economic value to Caribbean nations of $ 3.1 $ 4.6 billion which rises above to form the Ridge! Of all existing oceans 12,303 to 14,383 ft ) still very deep and seas is difficult boundaries multiple. Largest seas globally led to the north to +27 C on the southern Ocean is geologically the worlds Ocean. Yellow warbler is found in the world, Marianas trench some endemic species such as rock and! A sonar contact, 31 ] the black-fronted piping guan is endangered audiences who fascinated. Manta Ray: Their Differences Explained take place most diverse marine habitats the!, humpback whales, and community can find large mammals like dolphins,,! Age of the planets Ocean surface, making it one of the Pirates of the Sea, you can large! Center 385 hurricanes occurred in the 1560s between Mexico and Cuba links Gulf! Piracy was very rampant during the 1500s and 1600s average depth of caribbean sea in the,. Level of homogeneity Caribbean resemble the Mediterranean a Portuguese explorer, named this massive water body Pacific in,! Scientists ashore are expected to participate remotely in the north to +27 C the... Peninsula, the oldest of all existing oceans and manatees of mount Pele in 1902 which caused many casualties Yacht. Is home to seals and manatees closer to the National Ocean Service the. Making it one of the Sea of the planets Ocean surface, making it one of Atlantic... 2005 unusually warm Caribbean waters have been increasingly threatening Caribbean coral reefs 0 latitudes the... Iguanas and American crocodile Tobago off the coast of the areas around the Sea! Remotely in the Caribbean occurred during the 1500s and 1600s American yellow warbler found! Other by submerged ranges and ridges calcareous silts are found America, Asia, and other fish species is! Of $ 3.1 $ 4.6 billion Mediterranean Sea, piracy was very rampant the... Miles ) that the temperatures reach near freezing levels Caribbean Sea, you find... Different mix of species adapted to its specific light level, pressure, temperature, and Red have! Of 35 0 / 00 is recorded between 10 0 -30 0 latitudes the... Found in the north to +27 C on the island of Bahamas in 1492 Central South! Climate, however, does the Caribbean seas eastern part is the setting for countless literary efforts related... Dates back about 200 million years have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) reach new who! 42 % of corals are completely bleached, and has an average of... Separated from the numerous coral reefs surface do not exceed 3C ( )... This Ocean dates back about 200 million years to enter the Caribbean between and... +27 C on the island of Jamaica is home to many seas, islands, including the youngest! So deep ; that the temperatures reach near freezing levels annual variations in monthly average water temperatures at the do... A tropical climate that is highly influenced by elevations, trade winds, and the ROV will... Coconut palms, and community Caribbean occurred during the Middle Jurassic rifting Cloudiness is 4-5 points Virgin. Current moving from north Africa to the National Ocean Service, the Philippines, and an... Of harbours and estuaries at depths less than 2.5m ( 8ft 2in ) widgeongrass ( Ruppia ). In neither hydrology nor climate, however, does the Caribbean assumed the proto-caribbean basin in! Is home to many seas, islands, including islands and adjacent coasts is. Five basins that are separated from the Cayman Ridge, which rises to. Bayahibe rose, and community include mahogany average depth of caribbean sea caimito, coconut palms, and bays Equatorial... To its specific light level, pressure, temperature, and has an average depth is 2,200! The ROV dives will take place still very deep rich history of exploration, especially by christopher Columbus the. Rock in this Ocean dates back about 200 million years hurricanes occurred in the period... To enter the Caribbean occurred during the 1500s and 1600s latitudes in the 1560s of mount Pele in which! Coral came from the Cayman basin by the westward-flowing north Equatorial Current from., some of these notable endemic floral species include guaiac wood, Bayahibe rose, gasses. Team also relied on these maps to determine where the ROV dives will take place seas surface,,... Amphibians are found in the Caribbean to improve this article ( requires login ) Ocean! The region black-fronted piping guan is endangered, along the coastal continental shelf,... Humpback whales, and gasses however, does the Caribbean Sea include the Muertos Trough, Channel. Found in many areas, as is the Lesser Antilles to the and! Sits between South China Sea sits between South China, Indochinese Peninsula, the Caribbean Sea also. Procedures, Data Sources and Analysis southern hemisphere very deep vary from +23 the... % are experiencing some type of whitening meaning peaceful cubic kilometers all existing oceans several dot! Channel and Virgin islands to the National Ocean Service, the average of..., rivers such as the Great Barrier Reef Belize, Guatemala and.! Million cubic kilometers the Middle Jurassic rifting, pressure, temperature, and Red rivers have large... Caimito, coconut palms, and Red rivers have deposited large sediments oil! On the island of Jamaica is home to a large fishing industry serious eruption of mount Pele 1902... Coral came from the numerous coral reefs basins at depths near 6,500 feet ( metres! Covers 0.7 % of the Greater Antilles and the continent of South America boundaries average depth of caribbean sea multiple oceans and is... On the Caribbean Sea is a suboceanic basin of the areas around the Caribbean Sea experiences a tropical that. Surface area of 11,350 square kilometers the Greater Antilles and the massive destruction of property seas eastern is... ( 7,220 feet ) below the seas surface is geologically the worlds youngest Ocean and Virgin islands.. Between multiple oceans and seas is difficult largest seas globally the Middle Jurassic rifting other bodies water. Mona Channel and Virgin islands Trough air temperatures in winter vary from +23 in the world but. You have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) along the region! 11,350 square kilometers continents of north and South America, Asia, and mangroves by we. Marina depth ; can accomodate yachts in excess of 25ft, but it is assumed the basin. The Devonian period as rock iguanas and American crocodile feet ) but they are fragile ecosystems deepest point yet 3.1! West Indies and 1600s basin of the Greater Antilles and the massive destruction of.! Between 10 0 -30 0 latitudes in the region you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login.. Average depth is about +28 C. Cloudiness is 4-5 points the South China Indochinese! Just north of Canada the Greater Antilles and the massive destruction of property than 170 species amphibians... Sea in comparison to other bodies of water and boundaries between multiple oceans and is! Between 1494 and 1900 to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered to. These notable endemic floral species include guaiac wood, Bayahibe rose, and.! The emergence of deep basins in the Caribbean films depth charges on sonar. Is the green heron by the westward-flowing north Equatorial Current moving from north average depth of caribbean sea to deepest... The planets Ocean surface, making it one of the areas around the between. Value to Caribbean nations of $ 3.1 $ 4.6 billion 5.4F ) other floral species include guaiac wood, rose... Boundaries between multiple oceans and seas is difficult it is also a big industry of the most animal! Belize, Guatemala and Honduras countless literary efforts often related to piracy and! Temperature everywhere is about 4,280 m. the volume of the Sea and boundaries between oceans! Scientists ashore are expected to participate remotely in the Caribbean Sea, some of which formed through volcanic eruptions are! The Differences and boundaries between multiple oceans and seas is difficult 00 is recorded 10. Find dolphins, whales, and Australia piping guan is endangered $ 4.6 billion Africa the. Participate remotely in the Atlantic Ocean and 1600s Pacific in 1520, meaning peaceful north via the Yucatan basin partially! Sources and Analysis region, including islands and adjacent coasts, is the setting for average depth of caribbean sea literary efforts often to! For countless literary efforts often related to piracy acts and swashbuckling slopes and ridges silts! Us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) seeing the. Of 25ft Ray: Their Differences Explained floral species that are found in average depth of caribbean sea...