The Atlantic ocean and the Pacific ocean: characteristics, similarities and differences

Water covers about 70% of the earth's surface. The Atlantic ocean and the Pacific ocean – the largest area. The first of these has long played a vital role in the existence of human civilization. The water of the oceans is inextricably environment wash over continents and Islands, but have varying properties in different areas. Forties the famous constant storms all year round. Tropical waters are known scorching sun, the trade winds and occasional hurricanes destructive power.

General characteristics of the Pacific

Between the Pacific and Atlantic ocean there is a difference in size, the first of them occupies more than 33% of the surface of the globe. He has the greatest depths, lower water temperature and salt concentration. The width of the ocean at the equator is equal to 17 thousand km and an area of 178,7 million km², and the average depth is 3940 m. the hallmarks of the ocean is also the fact that the crust underneath is extremely mobile, the bottom is rich with volcanoes, and water - the animal and plant worlds.

A Second name of the Pacific – the Great. Its waters wash over the five continents. The Eastern shore is quite simple, with a few bays and peninsulas. On the Western edge of its many seas. This includes offshore, which are located in the shallow waters of the continent, the depths do not exceed 100 m. part of the sea located at the site of contact of the lithospheric plates. From the ocean is a group of Islands. The coastline is strongly dissected.

General characteristics of the Atlantic ocean

Differences between the Pacific and Atlantic ocean, not only in size but also form. The latter is elongated in the direction North-South and is reminiscent of the winding tape. Its width is about 5 thousand km, the surface area of 91,6 million km² and an average depth of 3597 m. the Atlantic ocean – place flow many large rivers. If you take the total outflow of the Congo and the Amazon, he will be only the fourth part.

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The Atlantic ocean and the Pacific ocean have different salinity of water. At first, it is more and ranges from 34 to 37.3‰. On average in the oceans it is 34,71‰. It is the warm water, its temperature is 3,99 ºC (average value of the World & ndash; 3,51 ºC). This phenomenon has a simple explanation: the ocean actively exchanges water with the coastal seas and bays which are warm and of high salinity.

Research

The Atlantic ocean and the Pacific ocean are investigated for a long time. The latter absorbed the indigenous population long before the advent of Europeans, who fell into his water only in times of Great geographical discoveries. A group of ships under the leadership of F. Magellan crossed the Pacific ocean to the West. For several months water was calm, so the name he was given is appropriate. Since that time, the ocean has been studied by many expeditions under the guidance of domestic and foreign explorers.

The Development of the Atlantic ocean studied by the ancient Greeks and the peoples of Scandinavia. On its banks appeared centers of navigation. Since the Great geographical discoveries pass through the main waterway. In the XIX and XX centuries expeditionary vessels conducted a comprehensive study of the Atlantic. Still, scientists are exploring the nature of the main currents, the mutual influence of the atmosphere and ocean.

The bottom

Comparing the Pacific and Atlantic oceans in terms of the bottom topography suggests that the first is much more complicated. The latter has a lesser age, if you look at the theory of motion of lithospheric plates. Along the Atlantic ocean in meridional direction is a huge range which come to the surface, forming o Iceland. This underwater mountain range divides the water into two almost equal parts. European and North American banks there are large shelves.

Shoals in the Pacific ocean have a significant coast of Asia and Australia. The steep slope of the continent, often in the form of steps. At the bottom there are numerous ranges of elevations and depressions, and over 10 thousand volcanic mountains. Ocean water is also known by the presence of “ring of Fire” and the Mariana trench, with a record depth of 11,022 km away.

Climate

The Similarity of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans is that they lie in several climate zones. The air mass over the first of them contain a lot of moisture, which falls as rain. The annual number of them over the equator reach to 3000 mm. the Arctic ocean is separated from the quiet plot of land and underwater mountain ranges that protect the latter from cold waters.

In the Central regions of the Pacific ocean constantly blowing trade winds, in West-monsoon. The dry, cold air from the mainland causes some of the ice seas. Western areas are often at the mercy of typhoons. In the temperate zone winter is accompanied by storms. The Northern and southern regions of the Pacific ocean known for its high waves that reach 30 meter mark. The average temperature of the surface water layer varies in the range -1 ... +29 ºC. the Predominance of precipitation over evaporation has led to the fact that the salinity of the water is below averageindex.

The wide area of the Atlantic is located in a temperate and a tropical climate, not like in the Equatorial Pacific. There is a frequent trade winds and the winds from the West. Storms in the waters South of the equator, happen all year round. In the temperate zone they occur mainly in winter.

Surface water in the Atlantic colder than the Pacific ocean. For the following reasons: icebergs, cold water from the poles, active vertical mixing. Strong differences of temperatures of atmospheric air and water result in a dense fog. The high salinity of the Atlantic due to the fact that the evaporated moisture is transferred to the side of the continents, because the width of the ocean is relatively small.

Course

The Pacific and Atlantic oceans connect the continents waterways. Of course the latter have predominantly meridional character. They have greater speed and ability to tolerate cold and heat among different latitudes. Atlantic is known for its large number of icebergs.

In the Pacific ocean is dominated by flow directed along the latitudes. On the North and South formed the current, having a closed oval contour.

Organic world

The flora and fauna in the Pacific are extremely diverse. For this purpose all conditions are created: age, various climatic zones, size. It contains the ½ of the total mass of the organic world. The wealth of flora and fauna is particularly high at the equator and the tropics near coral reefs. The Northern part has large reserves of salmonids. The ichthyofauna is rich and off the coast of the South American continent. After the fish are gathered and birds feeding on them. In the Pacific, many species of mammals (whales, seals, etc.), invertebrates (mollusks, corals, etc.).

The flora and fauna of the Atlantic ocean has a lower species diversity compared to the Quiet. The reason for this phenomenon lies in the fact that the first much younger, but managed to survive severe cold during the ice age. The amount of the organic world here is great, despite their poor species composition.

Islands and seas, Pacific and Atlantic ocean

The Pacific ocean includes the following sea: sea of Okhotsk, East China, Bering, Japanese and other Islands, included in its composition: Kuril, Japanese, New Guinea and New Zealand.

The Sea included in the Atlantic ocean, Black, Mediterranean, Baltic and other Famous Islands: Iceland, British, Canary, etc.

It Should be noted that the Atlantic ocean and the Pacific ocean have more differences than similarities. No wonder they are on opposite sides of the globe have different time of formation, the DNA structure and other factors affecting their performance.