Southern Ocean recognised as fifth ocean by National Geographic magazine

  • IASbaba
  • June 16, 2021
  • 0
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Southern Ocean recognised as fifth ocean by National Geographic magazine

Part of: GS Prelims and GS -I – Geography 

In news

  • Recently, on the occasion of World Ocean Day (8th June), the National Geographic magazine has recognised the ‘Southern Ocean’ as the world’s fifth ocean.
  • Other four Oceans are: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans.

About Southern Ocean

  • The Southern Ocean is the only ocean ‘to touch three other oceans (Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean). 
  • It is the only Ocean to completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them.
  • It is also defined by its Antarctic Circumpolar Current that was formed 34 million years ago. 
    • The current flows from west to east around Antarctica

Significance of Recognition

  • It is a step towards conservation of World’s Oceans, redirecting public awareness onto a region which needs a conservation spotlight.
    •  Southern Ocean is getting rapidly warmed  due to global warming, industrial fishing on species like krill and Patagonian tooth fish. 

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