The Arctic Ocean is the ocean surrounding the North Pole. It is the smallest of the world's five oceans and is surrounded by the northern parts of Eurasia and North America, as well as Greenland and several islands. Much of the ocean is covered by sea ice, particularly during winter.[1]
The Arctic Ocean covers an area of about 14.056 million km2. Its coastline is about 45,390 km long. Its average depth is about 1,038 metres, while its deepest point reaches about 5,450 metres.[2]
Geography[edit | edit source]
The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by Russia, Norway, Iceland, Greenland (part of the Kingdom of Denmark), Canada, and the United States. It is connected to the Pacific Ocean through the Bering Strait and to the Atlantic Ocean through the Greenland Sea and other surrounding waters.[3]
The Arctic Ocean includes several marginal seas, including the Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea and White Sea.[4]
Climate[edit | edit source]
The Arctic Ocean has a polar climate. The region experiences long periods of darkness during winter and continuous daylight during summer. The surface water remains close to the freezing point of seawater, and much of the ocean is covered by sea ice for part of the year.
The Arctic climate has changed significantly over geological time. In recent decades, the Arctic has experienced substantial changes in sea-ice conditions associated with climate change.[5]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "What is the world's smallest ocean?". NOAA. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
- ↑ Kuletz, Katherine J. (25 October 2024). "A review of climate change impacts on migration patterns of marine vertebrates in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems". Frontiers in Environmental Science. 12. Frontiers. doi:10.3389/fenvs.2024.1434549. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
- ↑ "Arctic ecosystem". Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
- ↑ "Arctic Oceans, Sea Ice, and Coasts". NOAA. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
- ↑ "Life in the Arctic Ocean". Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Retrieved 21 September 2026.