All rights reserved. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Now that youre familiar with the Gulf of Mexico, its time to start planning a beach trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! Every year, millions of birds migrate during fall, and many of them fly over the Gulf of Mexico during their trip. "Flaming Oil Rig Sinks in Gulf of Mexico. What does this mean? The shores of the Gulf of Mexico also serve as important habitats for different shorebirds and waterfowls. . Its considered one of the worst natural disasters in history, and efforts to reverse some of the damage that was caused are still ongoing. The wetlands here comprise nearly 30% of all wetlands in the United States. About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Stream originates here, and it is one of the strongest ocean currents in the world. When the guns fire, they create sound waves that travel down and are reflected back up by the sea floor. Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Milestones | Smithsonian Ocean Gulf of Mexico | gulf, North America | Britannica A study has dated the coral to be at least 2,000 years old. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest ocean basinin the world, covering almost 600,000 square miles. Still, there are, 30A's Ultimate Guide to The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck. So is the Gulf of Mexico an ocean? This region consists of about 1,394 miles (2,243 km) of coastline. About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. It is the center of the United States oil refining and petrochemical industry and hence more than 18% of the US oil production is derived from the offshore wells in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA. This has led to the creation of dead zones in the Gulf Region, which runs east-west for over 22,730 km2 along the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Because the Gulf of Mexico borders a portion of Mexico, Cuba, and five states Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, it is divided into seven regions based on specific geological and geographical factors. "By clicking OK or by using this Website, you consent to the use of cookies. Still interested in learning more about the Gulf of Mexico? Traveling east from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf Stream is one of the strongest currents in the world. Recreational fishing is popular, as are water sports and tourism along the coastal regions. How deep is the Gulf of Mexico? In early July the LMRP cap was removed for several days so that a more permanent seal could be installed; this capping stack was in place by July 12. How many miles deep is the Gulf of Mexico? Lets look at some unique facts about this body of water. Red snapper are generally found in waters from 30 to 620 feet deep and are one of the most heavily . When an attempt to employ a top kill, whereby drilling mud was pumped into the well to stanch the flow of oil, also failed, BP in early June turned to an apparatus called the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) cap. A Deadly Toll - Biological Diversity Because this continental shelf is easily accessible, the Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil with offshore oil drilling rigs centered in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. Five Ways To Tackle The Gulf Of Mexico's Dead Zone Installation begins for FGCU's new artificial reef in Gulf of Mexico One hundred miles southeast of Galveston's muddy shoreline, the Gulf of Mexico becomes a dazzling, vibrant blue. What caused the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Do You Know the Different Regions of the US? The marine flora in the Gulf of Mexico includes seagrasses, mangroves, marine algae, and marsh grasses. The Deepwater Horizon rig, owned and operated by offshore-oil-drilling company Transocean and leased by oil company BP, was situated in the Macondo oil prospect in the Mississippi Canyon, a valley in the continental shelf. The Gulf of Mexico supports different species of flora and fauna and is widely recognized for its diversity and productivity. With millions of gallons of oil spilled in the sea, the response effort was large and has lasted for over a decade. Many died from ingesting oil or because it interfered with their ability to regulate their body temperatures. On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon platform caused the largest oil spill in history. Not only does it border five U.S. states Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida but the Gulf of Mexico also borders Cuba and part of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is a large oval-shaped oceanic basin, that is located on the southeastern coast of North America and is bounded by the US states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Florida to the north, northeast and northwest; by the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Yucatan to the south and southwest; and by the island of Cuba to the southeast. Right, In addition to impacts to the diversity of marine life living on the seafloor, researchers found a conservative chemical tracer of petroleum in surface seafloor sediments extending 15 miles from the Macondo wellhead (Valentine et al. Ocean Depth Maps - Florida and Eastern Gulf of Mexico - Pursue The Outdoors Animals that wander into the lake dont come out alive. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544. The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, Sigsbee Deep, is estimated to be around 14,383 feet deep while the average depth is around 5,300 feet. From April through October 2022, NOAA and a diverse set of collaborators embarked on a set of eight scientific cruises in some of the Gulf of Mexico . They are fragile, ancient, and vital to the marine ecosystem. https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544 (accessed March 4, 2023). At the Bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, Corals and Diversity Suffered Further exploration of the Gulf of Mexico continued throughout the 1500s, and after numerous shipwrecks in the region, settlers and explorers decided to establish a settlement along the northern Gulf Coast. Although Native Americans living in the region used the Gulf of Mexico for centuries as a source of food and building materials, the first European to explore the Gulf was Italian Amerigo Vespucci in 1497. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. ", Robertson, Campbell and Leslie Kaufman. Only about 25 percent of the oil was recovered, leaving more than 154 million gallons of oil at sea. $3,300,000 USD: 140 feet on the Gulf! The Brydes whale has recently been declared as an endemic species. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Currently, there are about 27,000 wells, both oil and gas, that have been drilled and abandoned in the Gulf. Fishermen found Heather Strickland's body in a trash bag miles off the coast of Pinellas County, Florida, in December 2022. Monster Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, and . "Geography of the Gulf of Mexico." Ask questions; get answers. Once released, the natural gas traveled up a riser to the platform of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that was over the well, where it ignited, killing 11 workers and injuring 17. During this period the conditions are favorable for the development of hurricanes. This beautiful body of water is what brings people from all over to our destination. 6. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The Mexican material represents new species of the genera Zosime Boeck, 1873, Peresime . She has a wonderful poodle-terrier mix named Nelson, and together, they enjoy long walks, outdoor adventures, and playing with his many toys. However, in portions such as The Sigsbee Deep, which is 2 miles southwest of Brownsville, Texas, the depths reach up to 4,384 meters, or 14,383 feet! In this article, we will look at 10 facts on the Gulf of Mexico you must know. The First European Settlement Was at Pensacola Bay, Over 60 Million Americans Live Along the Gulf. It is a popular fishing destination, and its waters are used for transportation, recreation, and tourism. Briney, Amanda. depth (ft) Nearby waterbodies (689) The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. Once released by the fracture of the core, the natural gas traveled up the Deepwater rigs riser to the platform, where it ignited, killing 11 workers and injuring 17. Before the Gulf of Mexico exists the landscape was a continuous mountain range that spanned from Central Mexico up to West Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama where it connected to the Appalachia Mountains. Facts About Marine Life in the Gulf of Mexico, 10 Facts About the Geography of Baja California. . The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, Sigsbee Deep, is estimated to be around 14,383 feet deep while the average depth is around 5,300 feet. With so much marine life dependent upon the delicate ecosystem the future of the Gulf of Mexico depends on the proper management of resources and conservation of marine life. The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. The Gulf Oil Spill - Crime Museum A few hundred years ago, our beaches were home to pirates who hid in Perdido Pass and Perdido Bay while waiting to raid ships in the Gulf. Shannon's experience as a pet parent shapes her writing and empowers her to produce informative and engaging content. Her family is still awaiting justice. Endangered sea turtles also use the coast as their nursery and require the Sargassum, seaweed that floats on the surface of the water, to feed, along with fish, seahorses, and other marine life. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The western end of the island of Cuba forms a partial barrier to the eastern Gulf of Mexico, where it joins the Caribbean Sea. The Jacuzzi of Despair as its called, is a combination of methane gas and hydrogen sulfide that kills all creatures who enter it. Later, as the basin became a gulf, the salt was covered with sediment deposited by rivers. Gulf Of Mexico (TX, FL) nautical chart and water depth map The groundbreaking promise of cellular housekeeping. 30A is the #1 Guide to Floridas Scenic Highway 30-A. Situated in the southwestern part of the Gulf, the Sigsbee Deep (Mexico Basin) is the deepest region in the Gulf of Mexico that has an estimated depth of over 4,384m. To its north, northeast, and northwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Gulf Coast of the United States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida). Shrimp and oysters are the most common fish products harvested from the Gulf. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. To learn more about the Gulf of Mexico, visit theGulf of Mexico Programfrom the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Without a doubt, the sugar-white sand beaches on the Alabama and Florida gulf coast are among the most beautiful on the planet. The Gulf formed about 300 million years ago, and in all it encompasses 600,000 square miles. There are nearly 2,000 different species! Various waterfowl, shorebirds, coral reef, and endangered sea turtles establish their habitats in the Gulf of Mexico which is crucial to their survival. Updates? The Spanish explorer Tristn de Luna y Arellano landed at Pensacola Bay and established a settlement on August 15, 1559. Some of these Gulf of Mexico sharks include bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, and lemon sharks. Thats great news when it comes to reaching those shipwrecks. The Gulf covers approximately 600,000 square miles. The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. The Gulf of Mexico is bordered by 1,680 miles of US coastline. Both oceans and gulfs are large bodies of saltwater, but gulfs are smaller and are bordered on three sides by land. On September 17 the bottom kill maneuver was successfully executed through the first relief well. (2021, September 8). A Long-term View of the Gulf of Mexico | News | National Centers for It is rumored that they buried some of their stolen loot on the bay. A study showed that up to 800,000 birds were thought to have died. These banks provide critical habitats for many marine animals including commercially valuable fishes, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina swept over the Gulf of Mexico and storm surges caused 53 levees to be breached which flooded 80% of New Orleans. Without any opposing force, oil began to discharge into the gulf. The position of the West Florida Escarpment is shown . First discovered in 1999 by Texas A&M deep-tow data and 3D seismic supplied by WesternGeco LLC, the furrows are expressed for over 200 km along the Sigsbee .
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