The Sargasso Sea, which encompasses the Bermuda islands, was first mentioned by Christopher Columbus, who crossed it on his initial voyage in 1492.

Who named the Sargasso Sea?

The Sargasso Sea is named for Sargassum, a holopelagic, golden drift algae that can aggregate to form extensive floating mats on the surface of the ocean. Dr. Sylvia Earle has called it “the golden rainforest of the ocean.”

How did Sargassum get its name?

It's called Sargassum, brown algae (seaweed), a term coined by Portuguese sailors—which has even been attributed to Christopher Columbus (1492 expedition: first time someone reported crossing the Sargasso Sea).

What is the only sea in the world?

The only sea on Earth without a land boundary, the Sargasso Sea is bounded to the west by the Gulf Stream; on the north, by the North Atlantic Current; on the east, by the Canary Current; and on the south, by the North Atlantic Equatorial Current.

What defines the Sargasso Sea?

The Sargasso Sea (/sɑːrˈɡæsoʊ/) is a region of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by four currents forming an ocean gyre. Unlike all other regions called seas, it has no land boundaries. It is distinguished from other parts of the Atlantic Ocean by its characteristic brown Sargassum seaweed and often calm blue water.

Big changes in the Sargasso Sea

21 related questions found

Does the Sargasso Sea still exist?

Although the Sargasso Sea remains calm with its surrounding currents, a subtropical gyre is formed here. As a result the entire sea area with its mat like weeds slowly rotates clockwise.

Is Bermuda near the Sargasso Sea?

Bermuda and its coral reefs are surrounded by the Sargasso Sea. Within Bermuda's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are several isolated seamounts and the extensive Muir Seamount range, which was intensively surveyed in 2003.

What sea has no fish?

Located on the border between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is one of the most intriguing natural phenomena on Earth. Aside for some microorganisms and algae, this salt water lake is completely devoid of life. There's no seaweed, fish or any other creatures found in or around its turquoise waters.

Why is the Sargasso Sea so salty?

The higher salinity of Sargasso Sea is attributed to high temperature and greater evaporation and lack of mixture of fresh water by rivers or ice water.

Why does the Sargasso Sea collect plastic?

The Sargasso Sea is one of five global ocean gyres that accumulate land-based plastic pollution due to circulating currents. ... Turtles, eels, and other wildlife use the Sargasso Sea as a nursery, but that safe haven is now under threat from plastic.”

Can you burn sargassum?

Sargassum burns cleaner and does not emit much dust or smoke. It also burns longer, making it perfect for cooking jerk, a traditional Jamaican style of seasoning and preparing meat.

Why is sargassum so bad?

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that is washing up on beaches in Florida. As it rots, it gives off a substance called hydrogen sulfide. ... Although the seaweed itself cannot harm your health, tiny sea creatures that live in Sargassum can cause skin rashes and blisters.

Can you eat sargassum?

Sargassum seaweed may be used fresh, eaten with a dash of vinegar or lemon juice, or in salads. Hawaiians use fresh Sargassum seaweed as an accompaniment to raw fish. You'll often find Sargassum seaweed in soups, vegetable dishes, and in seasonings. To use Sargassum seaweed, first wash it thoroughly.

When did the Antarctic ocean get renamed?

Soon after, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognized the body of water as the fifth ocean in 1999 after the Board of Geographic Names approved the title, "Southern Ocean," reports Paulina Firozi for the Washington Post.

Are all eels born in the Sargasso Sea?

Even today, no one has ever seen eels spawning in the Sargasso Sea. Matter of fact, no adult eels or eggs have been found there. So how do we know that this is where eels are born? Scientists have used nets with very fine mesh to capture young eels all over the Atlantic Ocean.

How shallow is the Sargasso Sea?

It has an average depth (with its seas) of 11,962 feet (3,646 metres) and a maximum depth of 27,493 feet (8,380 metres) in the Puerto Rico Trench, north of the island of Puerto Rico.

Which is the scariest ocean?

• The Mariana Trench Is the Deepest Point on Earth and We Have No Idea What All Is Down There. ...
• The Terrifyingly Deep Great Blue Hole. ...
• The Corryvreckan Maelstrom Is a Permanent, Violent Whirlpool. ...
• The Remains of a Devastating WWII Battle Lie at the Bottom of the Chuuk Lagoon. ...
• The Devil's Sea Is the Bermuda Triangle's Twin.

What is the only sea on earth with no coastline?

The Sargasso Sea, located entirely within the Atlantic Ocean, is the only sea without a land boundary.

How do gyres form?

An ocean gyre is a large system of circular ocean currents formed by global wind patterns and forces created by Earth's rotation. The movement of the world's major ocean gyres helps drive the “ocean conveyor belt.” The ocean conveyor belt circulates ocean water around the entire planet.

Can you sink in the Dead Sea?

You'll notice the buoyancy as soon as you get into the water. You only have to be a foot or so deep and you can sit down, lean back, and float. It is actually impossible to sink or swim in the Dead Sea.

Can you float in the Dead Sea?

Do: Go swimming in the Dead Sea

And you legit don't need to do a single thing other than physically get in the water, which is the entire point: the Dead Sea has such high salinity that you'll effortlessly float, so there's no need for concern if you don't consider yourself a swimmer.

Is anything alive in the Dead Sea?

The sea is called "dead" because its high salinity prevents macroscopic aquatic organisms, such as fish and aquatic plants, from living in it, though minuscule quantities of bacteria and microbial fungi are present. In times of flood, the salt content of the Dead Sea can drop from its usual 35% to 30% or lower.

Why is the Pacific Ocean called the Pacific?

Explorer Ferdinand Magellan named the Pacific Ocean in the 16th Century. ... He called this body of water pacific, due to the calmness of the water at the time ('pacific' means peaceful). When Magellan and his crew entered the Pacific Ocean after their long journey, they thought that the Spice Islands were close at hand.

Is it safe to swim in sargassum?

In the water, Sargassum can be harmless to humans, but once it lands on the beach and starts decomposing, it begins to release hydrogen sulfide gas, or H2S. ... He further cautions to avoid swimming in Sargassum infested waters as it can lead to skin irritation.

Where is Sargassum found?

Sargassum is a brown algae and the 'grapes' are the air bladders, which keep it afloat. It may look like the attached marine plants found in coastal waters, but it's found in the middle of the North Atlantic Gyre. The area, of about 2 million square miles, is known as the Sargasso Sea.