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The definition and number of oceans can vary depending on the adopted criteria. The principal divisions (in descending order of area) of the five oceans are the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern (Antarctic) Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. Smaller regions of the oceans are called seas, gulfs, bays, straits, and other terms
' Sea of Atlas ') and in The Histories of Herodotus around 450 BC (Hdt. 1.202.4): Atlantis thalassa (Ancient Greek: Ἀτλαντὶς θάλασσα, ' Sea of Atlas ' or ' the Atlantic sea ' [7]) where the name refers to "the sea beyond the pillars of Heracles" which is said to be part of the sea that surrounds all land. [8]
The ocean was first mapped by Abraham Ortelius; he called it Maris Pacifici following Ferdinand Magellan's description of it as "a pacific sea" during his circumnavigation from 1519 to 1522. To Magellan, it seemed much more calm (pacific) than the Atlantic. [84] The andesite line is the most significant regional distinction in the Pacific.
The terms "the ocean" or "the sea" used without specification refer to the interconnected body of salt water covering the majority of Earth's surface. [10] [11] It includes the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern/Antarctic, and Arctic oceans. [19] As a general term, "the ocean" and "the sea" are often interchangeable. [20]
The Sargasso Sea (/ s ɑːr ˈ ɡ æ s oʊ /) is a region of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by four currents forming an ocean gyre. [1] Unlike all other regions called seas, it has no land boundaries. [2] [3] It is distinguished from other parts of the Atlantic Ocean by its characteristic brown Sargassum seaweed and often calm blue water. [1]
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The Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean are good examples of active, growing oceanic basins, whereas the Mediterranean Sea is shrinking. The Pacific Ocean is also an active, shrinking oceanic basin, even though it has both spreading ridge and oceanic trenches.
The Pacific may calm down as the Atlantic heats up: "Following the three systems that are currently being advised on by the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the ...