{"id":10762,"date":"2022-04-06T13:58:34","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T12:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=10762"},"modified":"2023-03-30T11:04:27","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T10:04:27","slug":"facts-about-the-altantic-ocean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/facts-about-the-altantic-ocean\/","title":{"rendered":"18 Incredible Facts About the Atlantic Ocean"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many interesting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facts about the Atlantic Ocean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will make us appreciate its importance for both us and the planet as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has a vibrant flora and fauna with myriads of fish, whales, turtles, sea horses, planktons, and many more living beings. So, let\u2019s dive deep into the Atlantic and learn something new along the way!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-deep-is-the-atlantic-ocean'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Deep is the Atlantic Ocean?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean max depth<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is 27,480 feet at the Puerto Rico <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Trench,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the Milwaukee Depth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average depth of the Atlantic Ocean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Atlantic-Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11,962 feet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This means that it is 311 feet shallower than the Indian Ocean and 2,080 feet shallower than the Pacific Ocean.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Atlas, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='top-10-intriguing-facts-about-the-atlantic-ocean'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top 10 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intriguing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facts About the Atlantic Ocean:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"#surface area of the Atlantic Ocean\">surface area of the Atlantic Ocean<\/a> is about 41,105,000 square miles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"#Atlantic Ocean was formed\">Atlantic Ocean was formed<\/a> approximately 180 million years ago.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Milwaukee Depth lies <a href=\"#27,493 feet below the surface\">27,493 feet below the surface<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"#North Atlantic Ocean Currents\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic Ocean Currents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cool the ocean down to 28\u00b0F.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than <a href=\"#50 shark species\">50 shark species<\/a> live in the Atlantic Ocean.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, there are <a href=\"#14 endangered species\">14 endangered species<\/a> in the New England\/ Mid-Atlantic Region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stretching for 625 miles, the Mesoamerican Reef is the <a href=\"#world\u2019s biggest coral system\">world\u2019s biggest coral system<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">200,000 pieces of debris per square mile are in the <\/span><a href=\"#North Atlantic garbage patch\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic garbage patch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some parts of the Mid-Atlantic coast <a href=\"#sea levels rise\">sea levels rise<\/a> by more than 8 inches.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">The Atlantic Ocean <a href=\"#water temperature is constantly rising\">water temperature is constantly rising<\/a>, and coral reefs are dying.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id='general-atlantic-ocean-facts'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many incredible stats about the Atlantic Ocean that can show us just how magnificent it is. From its size to its history, the Atlantic is genuinely something that earns our respect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='1-the-surface-area-of-the-atlantic-ocean-is-about-41105000-square-miles'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. The surface area of the Atlantic Ocean is about 41,105,000 square miles.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service, 2021, World Atlas, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean map <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stretches for about 41,105,000 square miles between the coasts of Europe, Africa, South America, and North America.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s divided into two main parts \u2014 the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic Ocean,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a surface of 16,020,000 square miles, and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Atlantic Ocean,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with 15,550,000 square miles.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='2-the-atlantic-ocean-was-formed-approximately-180-million-years-ago'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. The Atlantic Ocean was formed approximately 180 million years ago.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Atlas, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Atlantic basin<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was formed after the rifting of the mega-continent Pangea 180 million years ago. Later, when the other mega-continent, Laurasia, broke up, the\u00a0 North and the South Atlantic split became evident.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='3-the-atlantic-ocean-has-a-maximum-width-of-around-3200-miles'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. The Atlantic Ocean has a maximum width of around 3,200 miles.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Britannica, 2022)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The width of the Atlantic Ocean varies considerably from the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic Ocean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the South Pole. For instance, the width between Newfoundland and Ireland is 2,060 miles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shortest width of 1,770 miles is found between Cape S\u00e3o Roque in Brazil and Cape Palmas in Liberia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='4-milwaukee-depth-lies-27493-feet-below-the-surface'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Milwaukee Depth lies 27,493 feet below the surface.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Britannica, 2022)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">average depth of the Atlantic Ocean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is 11,962 feet (3,646 meters), and its deepest point is Milwaukee Depth, lying at 27,493 feet underwater. It\u2019s located in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic trench<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Puerto Rico, some 100 miles northwest of the island of Puerto Rico.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='5-with-a-38-4-mean-range-the-atlantic-basin-has-the-highest-tides-in-the-world'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. With a 38.4 mean range, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Basin<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has the highest tides in the world!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NOAA\u2019s National Service, 2021, Britannica 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the Bay of Fundy in Canada, scientists have spotted a difference between high and low water of more than 40 feet (12 meters). Moreover, along the coast of Brittany in France, the range difference is some 16 feet (5 meters).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Mexico have the lowest difference of less than 3 feet (1 meter).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='6-the-atlantic-ocean-includes-10-different-currents'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. The Atlantic Ocean includes 10 different currents.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Weather online, 2022)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean water temperature<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is responsible for all the drifts and currents happening throughout the basin!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gfdl.noaa.gov\/bibliography\/related_files\/sgp0102.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 main active currents<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 the North and South Equatorial, Counter Equatorial, Gulf Stream, Brazil, Benguela, South Atlantic Drift, Falkland, Labrador, and the Cannery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the strongest one is in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic Drift,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> an extension of the Gulf Stream.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='7-the-north-atlantic-ocean-currents-can-cool-the-ocean-down-to-28%c2%b0f'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic Ocean Currents<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cool the Ocean down to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">28<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00b0F.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Atlas, 2022)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By examining the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean water temp map,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> we\u2019ll quickly see that the temperature varies between 28 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the tropics, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean temperature<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> won\u2019t fall under <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seatemperature.org\/atlantic-ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80\u00b0F, while in the temperate climate zone, it\u2019ll hardly reach 70\u00b0F<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='atlantic-ocean-facts-about-animals-in-it'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean Facts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> About Animals in It<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are billions of planktons, sea horses, turtles, fishes, sharks, whales, manatees, and other animals in the Atlantic Ocean. In this article, we\u2019ve selected the most interesting facts about them for you!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='8-more-than-50-shark-species-live-in-the-atlantic-ocean-%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. More than 50 shark species live in the Atlantic Ocean.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service, 2020)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Atlantic Ocean, there are more than 50 shark species varying from tiny spiny dogfish to the great white shark.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to the scientific effort and new rules, there are significant population increases of spiny dogfish, white shark, sandbar, and Gulf of Mexico blacktip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, this isn\u2019t such a cheerful fact for the swimmers and surfers in the Ocean. More than 50% of 2019 shark attacks happen in the Atlantic, or 41 out of 64 worldwide. Furthermore, more than <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/shark-attack-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50% of shark attacks in the US occur in Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='9-the-north-atlantic-right-whale-is-the-symbol-of-the-ocean'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic right whale<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the symbol of the ocean!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Atlas, 2021, NOAA\u2019s National Service Agency, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean depth<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hides beautiful creatures, like the right whale, which can grow up to 52 feet in length and 150,000 pounds in weight. For years, this majestic creature has been under the threat of climate change, ocean noise, hunting, and entanglements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadly, the number of right whales is now at an all-time low of 350 individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='10-there-are-16-different-species-of-dolphins-and-porpoises-in-the-mid-atlantic-ocean-and-new-england-region'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. There are 16 different species of dolphins and porpoises in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean and New England region.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/dolphins-porpoises#by-species\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Service Agency,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 2021, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/news\/local\/community\/miami-dade\/article235003132.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Miami Herald, 2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mid-Atlantic region has 16 native species of dolphins and porpoises, among which the most famous ones are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The White-Sided dolphin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clymene dolphin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Common Bottlenose dolphin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Risso dolphin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dall\u2019s porpoise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Harbor Porpoise<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most famous is the common bottlenose dolphin because of the 1960\u2019s hit-show \u201cFlipper.\u201d Currently, there are 61 packs of these cheerful guys roaming the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">waters<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='11-today-there-are-14-endangered-species-in-the-new-england-mid-atlantic-region'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11. Today, there are 14 endangered species in the New England\/ Mid-Atlantic Region.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NOAA\u2019s National Service Agency, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beautiful animals like the blue whale, the Kemp\u2019s Ridley sea turtle, the right whale, and the giant manta ray are currently on the endangered species list.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to NOAA, the NE\/MA region is the critical habitat for four of them \u2014 the right whale, Atlantic sturgeon, Atlantic salmon, and loggerhead sea turtle.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='12-the-size-of-fish-in-the-atlantic-ocean-shrank-by-15-because-of-global-warming-and-pollution'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12. The size of fish in the Atlantic Ocean shrank by 15% because of global warming and pollution.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/geo2.44\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Royal Geographical Society, 2017<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean underwater<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sea life ke<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eps getting smaller, and research shows that the fish<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studyfinds.org\/menhaden-fish-shrinking-ocean-warmer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have shrunk by 15% over the last 65 years<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, according to research for 2004\u20132005,\u00a0 species like the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.abk2542\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic salmon have shrunk in body mass between 25% and 36%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='13-stretching-for-625-miles-the-mesoamerican-reef-is-the-biggest-coral-system-globally'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stretching for 625 miles, the Mesoamerican Reef is the biggest coral system globally.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Nature.org, 2022)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mesoamerican or \u201c The Great Maya\u201d Reef stretches for 625 miles from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula to the Honduran Bay Islands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s vital for the Atlantic marine ecosystem, and it has 3 critically endangered turtles \u2014 the hawksbill, loggerhead, and green turtle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, you can also find <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/whale-shark-facts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the whale shark, which grows up to the size of a school bus, or 60 feet in length<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='exploration-and-ecology-of-the-atlantic-ocean'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exploration and Eco<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">logy of the Atlantic Ocean<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/ocean-facts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80% of the oceans have been explored<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to this day. That\u2019s why, when it comes to ecology and exploration, we\u2019ve chosen the best <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean facts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='14-the-first-explorations-of-the-atlantic-ocean-began-in-800-ce-and-continue-today'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14. The first explorations of the Atlantic Ocean began in 800 CE and continue today.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Britannica, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Viking and Norse sailors started exploring the Atlantic Ocean in 800\u2013900 CE. All the explorations since that date led to Benjamin Franklin drawing the first good map of the Gulf Stream in 1770.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, scientists are exploring phenomena like the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic oscillation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and climate changes and how they affect our everyday lives.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='15-roughly-200000-pieces-of-debris-are-found-per-square-mile-in-the-north-atlantic-garbage-patch-%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15. Roughly 200,000 pieces of debris are found per square mile in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic garbage patch<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service, Bio Plastics Europe, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This man-made debris floating in the North Atlantic Ocean was first detected in 1976. Since the plastic and oil industry boom, two garbage patches have appeared and grown in the North and the South Atlantic Gyre.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='16-amoc-has-slowed-down-by-15-since-the-mid-twentieth-century'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16. AMOC has slowed down by 15% since the mid-twentieth century.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Nature, 2018, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">temperature of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Atlantic Ocean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is constantly changing, and we\u2019ve started witnessing the hottest years in a row. This also affects the power of the currents in the Atlantic Ocean.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientists say that currents have slowed down by approximately 15% since the mid-twentieth century. Furthermore, scientists say that by 2100, the AMOC (Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation) might slow down by 34\u201345%.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='17-from-1960-to-2020-some-parts-of-the-mid-atlantic-coast-saw-sea-levels-rise-by-more-than-8-inches'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17. From 1960 to 2020, some parts of the Mid-Atlantic coast saw sea levels rise by more than 8 inches.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PBS News, 2022, EPA, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, the National Ocean Service predicts a water level increase of 10 to 12 inches or 0.25 to 0.3 meters across the US coastline by 2050.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='18-the-atlantic-ocean-water-temperature-is-constantly-rising-and-coral-reefs-are-dying'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean water temperature<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is constantly rising, and coral<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reefs are dying.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(United Nations Environment Program, 2021, NOAA\u2019s National Service Agency, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three main corals live in the Atlantic \u2014 the Elkhorn, the Staghorn, and the Fused coral, which is a hybrid of the two. They are distributed mainly across the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean floor map<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near the Caribbean and Brazilian coasts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientists say they\u2019re registering rapid bleaching and dying out of coral reefs all across the strip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='faq'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id='when-did-the-atlantic-ocean-form'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When did the Atlantic Ocean form?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Atlantic Ocean formed about 180 million years ago when a rift opened into the ancient mega-continent Pangea. This rift resulted in the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Atlantic Ocean. At the same time,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0the South Atlantic was formed 140 million years ago when Africa separated from South America.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Britannica, 2021)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='how-big-is-the-atlantic-ocean'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How big is the Atlantic Ocean?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Atlantic Ocean has a surface area of approximately 41,105,000 square miles, and its average depth is 11,962 feet. Its widest point is a bit under 3,200 miles between Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service, 2021, Britannica, 2022)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='how-wide-is-the-atlantic-ocean'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How wide is the Atlantic Ocean?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The maximum width of the Atlantic Ocean is about 3,200 miles between the farthest coasts of Africa and America.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(SidmartinBio, 2020)<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='what-animals-live-in-the-atlantic-ocean'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What animals live in the Atlantic Ocean?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common animals are fishes, walruses, manatees, dolphins, turtles, whales, penguins, sharks, and tunas. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most famous ones are the killer whale, great white shark, humpback whale, and king penguin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Atlas, 2017)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='is-the-atlantic-ocean-cold'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the Atlantic Ocean cold?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be, depending on the time of the year and location. For instance, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Atlantic Ocean temperature in Florida<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the time of writing is 76.7\u00b0F. However, in some parts of Canada, it is closer to 30\u00b0F.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(SeaTemperature, 2022)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='conclusions'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve illustrated some fascinating yet chilling Atlantic Ocean statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, hoping to stir your love for the waters and the feeling of duty to protect them!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facts about the Atlantic Ocean<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prove that it\u2019s a place where we can learn a lot about our planet and ourselves, too!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='sources'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BioPlastics<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bioplasticseurope.eu\/media\/pages\/downloads\/scientific-publications\/bbe7ea9db7-1638286601\/jmse-09-01289.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Europe<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Atlantic-Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Britannica<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Atlantic-Ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Britannica<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Atlantic-Ocean\/Study-and-exploration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Britannica<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.calacademy.org\/explore-science\/plate-tectonics-shaping-the-continents#:~:text=About%20150%20million%20years%20ago,and%20formed%20the%20Atlantic%20ocean.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California Academy of Sciences<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/climate-indicators\/climate-change-indicators-sea-level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EPA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/07052018\/atlantic-ocean-circulation-slowing-climate-change-heat-temperature-rainfall-fish-why-you-should-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inside Climate News<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-018-0006-5.epdf?sharing_token=SnMT-OVbc85gZvCtasYa79RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0OdzeJ18XkImxSDnyYEEsE8-33fwAhU22xEc9NhIaLlhz6KKqR-uGzLOKRLbYwjw4bsthMUZAng9h_v7q_QDJCo1WuoWjcn08wcnLkBW3X4pshNflk_7JJGbGSbe0xZQwcYoliT1jsrOBr5C-YhT5N9JaSnxPXnjIoAydtsn8Ou_GihGxmtItSNdlCdCQO5aDc%3D&amp;tracking_referrer=www.technologyreview.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nature<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.org\/en-us\/get-involved\/how-to-help\/places-we-protect\/mesoamerican-reef\/#:~:text=Stretching%20for%20625%20miles%20along,reef%20in%20the%20Western%20Hemisphere.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nature.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/facts\/atlantic.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/facts\/highesttide.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/national\/atlantic-highly-migratory-species\/sharks-atlantic-coastal-waters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/podcast\/mar18\/nop14-ocean-garbage-patches.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/facts\/atlantic.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncei.noaa.gov\/access\/coastal-water-temperature-guide\/cpac.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Ocean Service<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/dolphins-porpoises#by-species\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Service Agency<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/new-england-mid-atlantic\/endangered-species-conservation\/endangered-and-threatened-species-new\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Service Agency<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/denix.osd.mil\/nr\/otherconservationtopics\/coastalandoceanresources\/fact-sheets\/acropora-fact-sheet\/#:~:text=Only%20three%20species%20exist%20in,Acroporids%20are%20branching%20corals.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NOAA\u2019s National Service Agency<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/science\/u-s-sea-levels-could-rise-more-than-a-foot-over-the-next-30-years\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PBS News<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pik-potsdam.de\/en\/news\/latest-news\/gulf-stream-system-at-its-weakest-in-over-a-millennium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/geo2.44\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Royal Geographical Society<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seatemperature.org\/atlantic-ocean\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SeaTemperature<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sidmartinbio.org\/how-wide-is-the-atlantic-ocean-in-km\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SidmartinBio<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unep.org\/news-and-stories\/story\/why-are-coral-reefs-dying\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United Nations Environment Program<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weatheronline.co.uk\/reports\/wxfacts\/North-Atlantic-Drift-Gulf-Stream.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weather Online<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldatlas.com\/oceans\/atlantic-ocean.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Atlas<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldatlas.com\/articles\/which-ocean-is-the-warmest.html#:~:text=Atlantic%20Ocean&amp;text=This%20ocean&#039;s%20surface%20temperatures%20range,10%2C925%20feet%20deep%2C%20on%20average.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Atlas<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fisheries.noaa.gov\/species\/north-atlantic-right-whale\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Atlas<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldatlas.com\/articles\/what-animals-live-in-the-atlantic-ocean.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Atlas<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hozir.org\/atlantic-ocean-atlantic-north-atlantic-south-atlantic-and-atla.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Atlas<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"When did the Atlantic Ocean form?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The Atlantic Ocean formed about 180 million years ago when a rift opened into the ancient mega-continent Pangea. This rift resulted in the North Atlantic Ocean. At the same time,\u00a0the South Atlantic was formed 140 million years ago when Africa separated from South America.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How big is the Atlantic Ocean?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The Atlantic Ocean has a surface area of approximately 41,105,000 square miles, and its average depth is 11,962 feet. Its widest point is a bit under 3,200 miles between Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How wide is the Atlantic Ocean?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The maximum width of the Atlantic Ocean is about 3,200 miles between the farthest coasts of Africa and America.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What animals live in the Atlantic Ocean?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The most common animals are fishes, walruses, manatees, dolphins, turtles, whales, penguins, sharks, and tunas. The most famous ones are the killer whale, great white shark, humpback whale, and king penguin.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is the Atlantic Ocean cold?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It can be, depending on the time of the year and location. For instance, the Atlantic Ocean temperature in Florida at the time of writing is 76.7\u00b0F. However, in some parts of Canada, it is closer to 30\u00b0F.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you fascinated by the ocean depths and marine life in it? If so, here are some incredible and eye-opening facts about the Atlantic Ocean and its fascinating animals! [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/facts-about-the-altantic-ocean\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from 18 Incredible Facts About the Atlantic Ocean<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":10763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-stats-and-facts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10762"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10762\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}