Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean, the largest and deepest of Earth’s oceanic divisions, covers more than one-third of the Earth’s surface and contains more than half of the free water on Earth. It stretches from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, and from Asia and Australia in the west to the Americas in the east. It is named after the Latin word *pacificus*, meaning “peaceful”, which was given to the ocean by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan during his circumnavigation of the globe in the 16th century.

Spotted ghoul – Inimicus sinensis

Black-spotted goby – Istigobius nigroocellatus

Peacock wrasse – Iniistius pavo

Sinuous Cactus Coral – Isophyllia sinuosa

Decorated goby – Istigobius decoratus

Cookie cutter shark – Isistius brasiliensis

Celebes razorfish – Iniistius celebicus

Stony Coral – Isopora brueggemanni

Two-stick stingfish – Inimicus filamentosus

Parasite Of Antiopella Fusca – Ismaila belciki

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Geography

The Pacific Ocean is divided into the North Pacific and South Pacific by the equator. The North Pacific is bordered by Asia, North America, and the Arctic Ocean. The South Pacific is bordered by South America, Australia, and Antarctica. The Pacific Ocean contains many islands, including the Hawaiian Islands, the Philippine Islands, and the islands of Oceania. The Mariana Trench, the deepest known point on Earth, is located in the western Pacific Ocean. The ocean also includes the largest coral reef system in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Australia.

Fauna

The Pacific Ocean is home to a vast array of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, seabirds, and fish. It also has diverse coral reefs that provide habitats for many different species. The Pacific Ocean is also home to the largest known fish, the whale shark, which can grow up to 40 feet long.

Surrounding Countries

The Pacific Ocean borders many countries, including:

  • North America
  • South America
  • Asia
  • Australia
  • Antarctica

Facts and Figures

  • Size: 165,250,000 square kilometers (63,800,000 sq mi)
  • Depth: Average depth of 4,280 meters (14,040 ft)
  • Deepest Point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, at 10,929 meters (35,856 ft) below sea level
  • Water Temperature: Varies greatly depending on location and season, but generally ranges from 28°C (82°F) near the equator to -1.8°C (28.8°F) near the poles.