Our planet earth is covered with seven continents and five oceans. The five oceans are pacifc, Atlantic, Indian, Archetic and Archetic Oceans. However, Antartic also called as Southern Ocean was not considered as ocean for several years. It was said that there are only four oceans. But, now the researchers have proved that the this ocean in the southern extension area is ocean. National Geographic has also made supported this claim.
Alex Tait of National Geographic Society has said that ‘the researchers have claimed that the south Antartica is considered as fifth ocean of the planet by the scientists. But, there was no support and recognition for this claim at international level. This part on the planet is very different and special place. Therefore, this place must to get place and recognition like Archetic, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.
Since National Geographic began making maps in 1915, it has recognized four oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans. Starting on June 8, World Oceans Day, it will recognize the Southern Ocean as the world’s fifth ocean. “The Southern Ocean has long been recognized by scientists, but because there was never agreement internationally, we never officially recognized it,” says National Geographic Society Geographer Alex Tait.
According to the National Geographic report, Geographers debated whether the waters around Antarctica had enough unique characteristics to deserve their own name, or whether they were simply cold, southern extensions of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. National Geographic now recognizes five world oceans. Most of the waters that surround Antarctica out to 60 degrees south latitude, excluding the Drake Passage and Scotia Sea, constitute the newly acknowledged Southern Ocean.
The area of this new ocean is almost double of America. Map Policy Committee of National Geographic Society has given the name ‘Southern Ocean’ to it. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) has also recognized this new ocean from February. Marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle said the ecosystem of this ocean is very special. There are whales, penguins and seals, and thousands of organs in the ocean.
