That project also supported efforts in the characterization of surface oil spills from . Natural gas is also extracted. Looking at a map you may not realize that the Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. in English from Illinois State University in 2005. The Gulf of Mexico has been a source of oil since 1938, when the first oil well was drilled there. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The small juvenile turtles also depend on the sargassum habitats in the open ocean for their survival. What does this mean? They are fragile, ancient, and vital to the marine ecosystem. The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). From April through October 2022, NOAA and a diverse set of collaborators embarked on a set of eight scientific cruises in some of the Gulf of Mexico . Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? The Gulf of Mexico (Golfo de Mxico in Spanish) is located in the Atlantic Ocean, and the majority of it is bordered by the United States and Mexico. Its considered one of the worst natural disasters in history, and efforts to reverse some of the damage that was caused are still ongoing. It is estimated that around 10,000 bottlenose dolphins live in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. On April 20, 2010, BP's mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon exploded, burned, and subsequently sank in the Gulf of Mexico 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. To the southeast, it's bounded by the Caribbean Sea and Cuba. Although it is rare to see sharks in our waters, around 50 species call the Gulf of Mexico home. nutrient-enriched waters from the deep by a process known as upwelling, which stimulates plankton growth in the euphotic zone. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. In this article, we will look at 10 facts on the Gulf of Mexico you must know. Coral reefs provide a thriving ecosystem that supports significant biodiversity in the Gulf. We have not only provided the answer to the question here but have also explored more interesting facts about the Gulf. Over the next 150 million years the gulf continued to deepen and enlarge with the movements of the earth. Natural gas wasnt far behind, comprising 47 percent of the U.S. totals. During the summer months, the sea surface temperature rises to about 32C. ", Robertson, Campbell and Leslie Kaufman. [4] A proposal by the United States renaming Sigsbee Deep, with coordinates of 23 52 N 91 35 W, to "Mexico basin" was rejected by the Sixteenth Meeting of the GEBCO Sub-committee on Undersea Feature Names (SCUFN), the international authority on feature names, in 2003 with the note that it is "an historical name dating back to Sir John Murray." The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Shrimp and oysters are among the largest fish products that come from the Gulf. Both are partially detailed in a lengthy 1975 National Academy of Sciences report on ocean contaminants. There are also several ships sunk in deep water off the mouth of the Mississippi River by German U-boats during World War II, as well as the only German U-boat sunk in the Northern Gulf by Allied forces, the U-166. Currently, there are about 27,000 wells, both oil and gas, that have been drilled and abandoned in the Gulf. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. These skeletons may have the answer, Scientists are making advancements in birth controlfor men, Blood cleaning? [3] The actual maximum depth is disputed and estimates range between 3,750 and 4,384 metres (12,303 and 14,383ft). An ocean basin, it is bounded on the northeast, . To learn more about the Gulf of Mexico, visit theGulf of Mexico Programfrom the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He was a research editor with Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. from 2008 to 2016 and worked on Britannica Blog from 2010 Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Lines of underwater microphones pulled along the surface behind the ship record how long it takes the reflected waves to reach them, data that can then be translated into topography. Were here to help! A study showed that up to 800,000 birds were thought to have died. The roughly 5,000-year-old human remains were found in graves from the Yamnaya culture, and the discovery may partially explain their rapid expansion throughout Europe. The evaporation and filling of saltwater in the basin over the millennia created deposits and mounds that today appear as cliffs bordering Sigsbee Deep. . "By clicking OK or by using this Website, you consent to the use of cookies. But the Gulf is also a habitat for other sea animals including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and manatees. Go the Distance. While most of the Gulf of Mexico is fairly shallow, its deepest point is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated maximum depth of 14,383 feet! We had been planning a trip to run deep into the Gulf, but . Cleanupand fines cost BP $65 billion. The Deepwater Horizon rig, owned and operated by offshore-oil-drilling company Transocean and leased by oil company BP, was situated in the Macondo oil prospect in the Mississippi Canyon, a valley in the continental shelf. The Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil and hence several offshore oil drilling rigs have been drilled for exploration and mining in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. This region consists of about 1,394 miles (2,243 km) of coastline. They found the Gulf is home to 2,000 year-old deep-sea black corals, many of which are only a few feet tall. Because salt also flows easily, it can deform and get squeezed, which results in blobs of salt pushing up into the layers above, making domes and ridges and faults. The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. Some of the significant ones include Blue whale, Brydes whale, Fin whale, Killer whale, Minke whale, Humpback whale, Sperm whale, and Northern right whale. "Geography of the Gulf of Mexico." Different species of jellyfish are also commonly found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Black coral that grows in the Gulf of Mexico is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin ( Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. Youre probably familiar with the beautiful sandy beaches in Florida or the sprawling coastlines packed with beachgoers in South Padre Island, however, there are countless beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to be found throughout Mexico, Cuba, and the U.S. With an average temperature between 84F and 88F the Gulf of Mexico is a perfect vacation destination. 2014). To the south and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico was likely formed roughly 300 million years ago when part of the ocean floor gradually sank due to plate tectonics. A Comprehensive Guide. 617,800 mi Gulf of Mexico/Area. The Gulf of Mexico features a wide continental shelf, specifically around Florida and the Yucatn Peninsula. It contains about 2,500 quadrillion liters of saltwater. Florida and Eastern Gulf of Mexico Grids. Oceans, the largest bodies of water in the world, have no exact boundaries, and they are bordered by seas (the Caribbean Sea separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean). This in turn stimulates plankton growth and attracts numerous shrimps, small fishes, and squids. The Gulf Stream originates here, and it is one of the strongest ocean currents in the world. Look forBeach Happy magazine at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger and other major outlets. Birds were particularly vulnerable to the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Some of the devastating hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico region include Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Ike (2008), Hurricane Harvey (2016), Hurricane Michael (2018), Hurricane Rita, Galveston Hurricane, etc. Its over 600,000 square miles and from east to west it covers 932 miles. They are often connected to the ocean by narrow water passages but that is not always observed in all geographical areas. We end with some fun facts about the Gulf (spoiler alert: its home to a lot of sharks!). West views and deep water! The coastal population of the five US states on the Gulf of Mexico is projected to increase from 44.2 million in 1995 to about 61.4 million in 2025. Gulfs are formed as a result of plate tectonics and are usually larger and more deeply indented than the bays. Not sure where the Gulf of Mexico is? A sea lily (Crinoidea) rests in the middle of a mushroom coral (Anthomastus sp.) How deep is the Gulf of Mexico? The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history. These nutrients favor the growth of algae and results in an algal bloom. These hurricanes are either formed or make their way into the Gulf and eventually make landfall in the areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. More than 400 species of shellfish are found in the Gulf region. The Gulf has a total area of approximately 1,680,000 square kilometers (650,000 square miles) and a maximum depth of approximately 7,020 meters (23,000 ft). Located close to the Continental Shelf, you'll find waters as deep as 600 feet just 10-12 miles from shore. The success of these procedures cleared the way for a bottom kill, considered to be the most likely means of permanently sealing the leak. MarineMax Panama City Beach | MarineMax Fort Walton Beach | MarineMax Pensacola | Grady-White Boats, Posted by 30A on Wednesday, 2 February 2022. It is enclosed largely by North America. Population along the Gulf coast exploded in the 1950s, and the rising number of people living along the Gulf resulted in increased pollution problems. It borders the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as well as the island of Cuba and parts of Mexico. The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). The Alabama Gulf Coast boasts the largest artificial reef program in the nation, with 1,136 square miles of artificial reefs located at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. 7. Where is the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico? Only about 25 percent of the oil was recovered, leaving more than 154 million gallons of oil at sea. NGDC Coastal Relief Model Vol. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is 5,299 feet (1,615 meters) and the maximum depth is estimated to be 14,383 feet (4,384 meters). Where Is the Gulf of Mexico? About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. Do You Know the Different Regions of the US? The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, Sigsbee Deep, is estimated to be around 14,383 feet deep while the average depth is around 5,300 feet. The coral is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with Sarasota Bay and other local estuaries. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. There are 7 barrier islands along the northwest portion of the Gulf of Mexico, one of which, South Padre. below the gulf's surface, with a circumference of 100 feet (30 m) and 12 feet (3.7 m) feet deep, which is four to five times saltier than the rest of the water. The casual observer would need to watch the coral for many years possibly hundreds to notice any difference in its growth, however. The marine chart shows depth and hydrology of Gulf Of Mexico on the map, which is located in the Veracruz, Texas, Florida state (La Perla, Fayette, Clay). Lets look at some unique facts about this body of water. Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also called Gulf of Mexico oil spill, largest marine oil spill in history, caused by an April 20, 2010, explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil riglocated in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 41 miles (66 km) off the coast of Louisianaand its subsequent sinking on April 22. In the fall of 2021, nine new . One of the most devastating was Hurricane Katrina, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 and caused over 1,200 deaths and $125 billion in damage, mostly concentrated in New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding areas. They found evidence of sediment resuspension linked with oceanic phenomena. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score. On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon platform caused the largest oil spill in history. The Gulf's geologic origin remains uncertain. It is largely surrounded by the continent of North America. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. depth (ft) Nearby waterbodies (689) The Padre Island is the worlds longest barrier island. . Coordinates: 24.487, -89.5363. Some dolphins are also found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, and the Gulf Coast of the United States on the north, which includes the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas (map). Home Fishing Ocean Depth Maps Florida and Eastern Gulf of Mexico. A few hundred years ago, our beaches were home to pirates who hid in Perdido Pass and Perdido Bay while waiting to raid ships in the Gulf. Various waterfowl, shorebirds, coral reef, and endangered sea turtles establish their habitats in the Gulf of Mexico which is crucial to their survival. These floating feeding grounds can grow to be so large theyre detectable from space! Still, there are, 30A's Ultimate Guide to The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck. As you can clearly see in the image below, this data is much higher resolution than the best available map, which was made in the 1990s. Several copepods of the family Zosimeidae were found in deep-sea sediment samples from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California (Mexico). Fishing is also an important industry and the economies of many states that lie along the Gulf of Mexico are driven by the fishing industry. The Gulf was first explored by Amerigo Vespucci in 1497. For its immense natural resources and historical significance, not many are aware of this Gulf and its role in trade and commerce. What if we could clean them out? Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. Louisiana is an especially important stop along their journey between Latin America and the breeding grounds in North America with nearly 2.5 million landing each day to rest. With so much marine life dependent upon the delicate ecosystem the future of the Gulf of Mexico depends on the proper management of resources and conservation of marine life. In geographic terms, the Gulf of Mexico is also an ocean basin. The fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico are considered to be one of the most productive in the world and the many Gulf Coast States have their economies centered on fishing in the gulf area. Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 2. The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation, 10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast, The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches, The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night, 10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation, 5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation, Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation, Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels, 10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach, The Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. Boasting some of the worlds most diverse coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean and Florida, the Gulf of Mexico also is home to black coral, which is the oldest living marine organism currently known. Situated in the southwestern part of the Gulf, the Sigsbee Deep (Mexico Basin) is the deepest region in the Gulf of Mexico that has an estimated depth of over 4,384m. The strange geology of the floor of the Gulf is mostly caused by thick underlying layers of salt. 5. Shannon's experience as a pet parent shapes her writing and empowers her to produce informative and engaging content. Climate change that's warming waters further is also making them larger, as in increased intensity and amount of water. The feature known as Horseshoe Basin in the western Gulf of Mexico shows up far more clearly on the new high-resolution map (right). Though fitted loosely over the BOP and allowing some oil to escape, the cap enabled BP to siphon approximately 15,000 barrels of oil per day to a tanker. The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated depth of around 14,383 feet.
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