Labrador Sea

The Labrador Sea is a marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean, located between Greenland and Canada. It is an important fishing ground and a key component of the global thermohaline circulation, which helps regulate Earth’s climate.

Arctic staghorn sculpin – Gymnocanthus tricuspis

Amphipod – Gammarellus homari

Three-spined stickleback – Gasterosteus aculeatus

Atlantic bluefin tuna – Thunnus thynnus

Moustache sculpin – Triglops murrayi

Slender Peacock Worm – Sabella discifera

Jewelled blenny – Salarias fasciatus

Arctic shanny – Stichaeus punctatus

Common Seal, Harbor Seal – Phoca vitulina

Rock gunnel – Pholis gunnellus

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Geography

The Labrador Sea is roughly triangular in shape, with a surface area of about 840,000 square kilometers (320,000 sq mi). It is bounded by Greenland to the east, Baffin Island and Labrador (Canada) to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The sea is connected to the Arctic Ocean by the Davis Strait, which separates Baffin Island from Greenland.

The Labrador Sea is relatively deep, with an average depth of about 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) and a maximum depth of 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) at its deepest point, the Labrador Basin. The seafloor is characterized by a rugged topography with numerous underwater ridges and canyons.

Climate

The Labrador Sea experiences a cold, subarctic climate with significant seasonal variations. Winter temperatures average around -1 °C (30 °F), while summer temperatures average around 5 °C (41 °F). The sea is ice-covered for several months each year, with ice extending southward from Baffin Island and Greenland.

Fauna

The Labrador Sea is home to a diverse range of marine life, including:

  • Fish: Cod, haddock, herring, halibut, redfish, and capelin
  • Marine mammals: Whales (including humpback, minke, fin, and right whales), seals (harbour, harp, and hooded seals), and dolphins
  • Birds: Seabirds like gulls, terns, puffins, and razorbills

The sea is also a major breeding ground for several species of seabirds, including the Atlantic puffin and the northern gannet. The sea supports a significant amount of commercial fishing, particularly for cod, haddock, and herring.

Surrounding Countries

The Labrador Sea borders two countries:

  • Canada: The provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut border the sea.
  • Greenland: This autonomous territory of Denmark borders the sea to its east.

Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Labrador Sea:

  • The Labrador Current, a cold current flowing southward from the Arctic Ocean, passes through the sea, carrying icebergs and cold water into the North Atlantic.
  • The sea is a major source of deep water formation, which plays a vital role in the global thermohaline circulation.
  • The Labrador Sea is home to the largest known population of harp seals in the world.
  • The sea's deep waters contain high concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide, making it an important sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide.