From encompassing large areas to harboring a large biodiversity, the Pacific Ocean is truly a hub of fascinating historical and scientific facts.
The largest
ocean on this planet, the Pacific Ocean, encompasses more than 30% of the Earth's total surface. You simply cannot imagine how large it actually is. For your understanding, consider the combined landmass of all the continents; it is much bigger than this. You will be really surprised to learn many awesome facts about the Pacific Ocean. Go through this article to learn more.
Ferdinand Magellan named the Pacific Ocean:
European explorer Ferdinand Magellan was the first person to travel the dangerous straits to South America. He started his journey in September 1519 with 270 men in five ships. He discovered the area, now known as the Magellan Strait. He found the ocean extremely calm and thus named it the Pacific. This word was derived from the Latin word Pacificus, which means tranquil. However, Vasco Núñez de Balboa, a European, was the first person to discover the Pacific Ocean. He discovered the ocean in 1513. Furthermore, scientists have calculated its age with many calculations. Guess what? It was formed around 190 million years ago.
Mariana Trench is the deepest point of the Pacific Ocean:
Ever thought about the deepest point of the Pacific Ocean? This is known as the Mariana Trench. It is located in the western Pacific region, lying east of the Philippines. The recent estimate suggests this region is around 7 miles deep. However, the single deepest zone in the Pacific Ocean is known as Challenger Deep. This region is named after the British Royal Navy ship, HMS Challenger. They discovered this spot during the expedition of 1872-1876.
The Pacific Ocean is a region of earthquakes and extreme volcanic activity:
You will be shocked to know that the Pacific Ocean harbors a large number of volcanoes, and the number is around 75,000. Volcanic activities and tectonic plate movement are the major reasons behind the frequent earthquakes in this region. The region with frequent volcanic activity is known as the Ring of Fire.
The Pacific Ocean encompasses numerous islands:
Due to its wide area, the Pacific Ocean contains numerous islands. One famous island is the Hawaiian island. The Pacific Ocean harbors around 25000 islands. The number can be underestimated or overestimated as the location and number keep on changing due to various climatic and geographical factors.
The Pacific Ocean is truly shrinking:
Surprisingly, the Pacific Ocean is shrinking every passing year. The annual rate of shrinkage is around one inch. The major reason behind this is the continuous movement of plates behind the Pacific Ocean. While the Pacific Ocean is shrinking, it is observed that the water mass is increasing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Aren't these Pacific Ocean facts amazing?
