Beaufort Sea

The Beaufort Sea is a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, located off the northwest coast of Canada and the northern coast of Alaska. It is named after the British hydrographer Sir Francis Beaufort, who developed the Beaufort Wind Scale. The Beaufort Sea is a relatively shallow sea, with an average depth of about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) and a maximum depth of 4,683 meters (15,364 feet). The sea is covered by sea ice for most of the year, but the ice melts significantly during the summer months. The Beaufort Sea has a cold climate, with average temperatures ranging from -20°C (-4°F) in winter to 5°C (41°F) in summer.

Walrus – Odobenus rosmarus

Arctic staghorn sculpin – Gymnocanthus tricuspis

Three-spined stickleback – Gasterosteus aculeatus

Beluga – Delphinapterus leucas

Bobtail Trophon – Boreotrophon truncatus

Arctic shanny – Stichaeus punctatus

Rock gunnel – Pholis gunnellus

European flounder – Platichthys flesus

Sea lamprey – Petromyzon marinus

Clawed Sea Spider, Spiny-thigh Sea Spider, Sea Spider – Phoxichilidium femoratum

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Fauna

The Beaufort Sea is home to a diverse range of marine life, including polar bears, walruses, seals, whales, and a variety of fish species. The sea is an important breeding ground for many species of marine birds, and it is also home to several species of sea turtles. The Beaufort Sea is also a vital habitat for a variety of Arctic mammals, including caribou, musk oxen, and wolves. These animals depend on the sea ice for hunting and breeding. The sea ice is also important for the survival of phytoplankton, which forms the base of the marine food web. The Beaufort Sea is a fragile ecosystem that is vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures are causing the sea ice to melt faster, which is disrupting the food web and making it more difficult for marine mammals to survive.

Surrounding Countries

The Beaufort Sea is bordered by the following countries:

  • Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut)
  • United States (Alaska)

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Beaufort Sea:

  • The Beaufort Sea is the largest of the Arctic Ocean's marginal seas, with an area of approximately 476,000 square kilometers (184,000 square miles).
  • The sea is named after British hydrographer Sir Francis Beaufort, who developed the Beaufort Wind Scale.
  • The Beaufort Sea is covered by sea ice for most of the year, but the ice melts significantly during the summer months.
  • The Beaufort Sea has a cold climate, with average temperatures ranging from -20°C (-4°F) in winter to 5°C (41°F) in summer.
  • The sea is home to a diverse range of marine life, including polar bears, walruses, seals, whales, and a variety of fish species.
  • The Beaufort Sea is also a vital habitat for a variety of Arctic mammals, including caribou, musk oxen, and wolves.
  • The Beaufort Sea is a fragile ecosystem that is vulnerable to climate change.