Quck answer
The Sargasso Sea is a region of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by four currents forming a clockwise rotation known as the North Atlantic gyre. It is located in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean, between the West Indies and the Azores. Unlike other seas, the Sargasso Sea has no land boundaries and is defined by the presence of floating Sargassum seaweed. This unique ecosystem is home to a variety of marine species and plays an important role in oceanic circulation. The Sargasso Sea is also known for its calm waters, lack of wind, and historical significance in navigation and exploration.
Are you knowledgeable about geography? Let’s assess your understanding with a few basic questions. Which large body of water can be found off the eastern coast of the United States? If you answered the Atlantic Ocean, you are correct!
If you travel thousands of miles in the opposite direction, which large body of water will you find off the western coast of the U.S.? If you said the Pacific Ocean, you are also correct!
We could continue this pattern, asking you to identify bodies of water in relation to their nearest landmass. In fact, we could do this for all the oceans and seas in the world… except one: the Sargasso Sea.
All the other oceans and seas around the world are defined, in part, by at least one land boundary. However, the Sargasso Sea, which is a vast area of the North Atlantic Ocean, is defined by four ocean currents: the Gulf Stream to the west, the North Atlantic Current to the north, the Canary Current to the east, and the North Atlantic Equatorial Current to the south.
These currents create an elliptical area known as the Northern Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, within which you can find the Sargasso Sea. Since currents change based on various factors, the exact boundaries of the Sargasso Sea fluctuate but tend to align with the Azores High Pressure Center.
The Sargasso Sea gets its name from Sargassum, a type of brown, free-floating seaweed that thrives in its relatively calm waters. Sargassum provides a habitat for a wide range of marine species, including sea turtles, shrimp, crabs, eels, sharks, and various types of fish.
The Sargasso Sea, which is home to the Bermuda Islands, was first mentioned by Christopher Columbus, who crossed it during his initial voyage in 1492. It was also referenced by author Jules Verne in his famous book, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
The tranquil waters of the Sargasso Sea offer excellent visibility. In certain areas, you can see as far as 200 feet below the surface. Unfortunately, the calmness of the waters also has a significant drawback.
The placid waters collect and trap large amounts of garbage that are carried into it by the surrounding currents. In some regions, you can find up to 200,000 pieces of trash per square kilometer.
Scientists have given the name “North Atlantic Garbage Patch” to this enormous floating trash island. They estimate its size to be hundreds of kilometers, but it remains mostly invisible to the naked eye and satellite imagery.
This is because a large portion of the trash consists of tiny fragments of photodegradable plastic that easily sink below the surface due to waves. Unfortunately, this also makes it challenging to clean up without causing harm to small aquatic creatures in the process.
Give It a Try
Are you prepared to explore the Sargasso Sea? Enlist the help of a friend or family member to join you in trying out the following activities:
Explore the Sargasso Sea
If you are curious about the location of the Sargasso Sea, you can go online and check out a map specifically dedicated to this unique body of water. Imagine yourself visiting the Sargasso Sea, what would you hope to encounter? What kinds of marine creatures would you be excited to observe?
Discover the Sargasso Sea’s contribution to the global economy by exploring an interesting infographic titled “The Sargasso Sea: A Vital Ecosystem of Global Importance.” Take note of three fascinating facts that you learn from this visual representation.
For further information on the North Atlantic Garbage Patch, head over to the National Geographic website and read an article titled “Huge Garbage Patch Found in Atlantic Too.” Reflect on the possible solutions that we should implement to address the issue of massive garbage patches in oceans worldwide. Feel free to share your ideas with a friend or family member.
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