Table of Contents
When did the Antarctic Ocean become the Southern Ocean?
roughly 30 million years ago
Geography. The Southern Ocean, geologically the youngest of the oceans, was formed when Antarctica and South America moved apart, opening the Drake Passage, roughly 30 million years ago. The separation of the continents allowed the formation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
When did the US recognize the Southern Ocean?
The Southern Ocean is the ‘newest’ named ocean. It is recognized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names as the body of water extending from the coast of Antarctica to the line of latitude at 60 degrees South. The boundaries of this ocean were proposed to the International Hydrographic Organization in 2000.
Who first crossed the Southern Ocean?
The journey of James Caird was born out of desperation following the sinking of Shackleton’s ship, Endurance, in the ice-choked Weddell Sea. After spending over a year trapped on an ice-floe, the 28 men crammed into three small lifeboats and sailed to desolate Elephant Island, the nearest available landing place.
Who was the first person to explore Antarctica?
Roald Amundsen
The first person to reach the South Pole was Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, said Ross MacPhee, a curator in the American Museum of Natural History in New York and author of Race To the End: Amundsen, Scott, and the Attainment of the South Pole (Sterling Publishing, 2010).
What was the Southern Ocean called previously?
the Antarctic Ocean
The Southern Ocean, also known as the South Polar Ocean (and formerly the Antarctic Ocean), is the body of water encircling the continent of Antarctica.
Did the Southern Ocean used to be called the Antarctic Ocean?
The IHO Makes a Decision The third edition in 2000 established the existence of the Southern Ocean as the fifth world ocean. Eighteen of the 28 responding countries preferred calling the ocean the Southern Ocean over the alternative name Antarctic Ocean, so the former is the name that was selected.
What did the Southern Ocean used to be called?
Did humans ever live in Antarctica?
Antarctica is the only continent on Earth without indigenous human inhabitants, despite its proximity to Argentina and Chile at the Antarctic Peninsula.