She has taught English and biology in several countries. There are nearly 2,000 different species! The Gulf of Mexico produces nearly 20% of all U.S. crude oil. It doesnt hurt that a large part of the Gulf is right over the North American Continental Shelves, which means the water is fairly shallow. Over 750 historical shipwrecks have occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, some of which date back to the 16th century. Florida woman's family seeking answers after body found by fishermen in The Mississippi is the largest river that drains into the Gulf of Mexico and carries with it an extraordinary amount of these contaminants into the Gulf. When does spring start? These banks provide critical habitats for many marine animals including commercially valuable fishes, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Geography of the Gulf of Mexico Border States - ThoughtCo Black coral that grows in the Gulf of Mexico is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. It is estimated that around 10,000 bottlenose dolphins live in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 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. visits the Gulf of Mexico. (2021, September 8). The surface area of the Gulf of California is about 160,000 km2 (or 62,000 square miles). 7. The Gulf of Mexico - National Park Service Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Briney, Amanda. A Coral Reef Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico Could Triple in Size Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. It is widely believed, that the impact that led to the creation of this crater had triggered a series of catastrophic events, which ultimately led to the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The Gulf Oil Spill - Crime Museum Lets look at some unique facts about this body of water. Have you ever called this the Ocean? The Western Gulf of Mexico, and. Oil Platforms In The Gulf Of Mexico - Maritime Page Read our guide on transcendentalism for everything you need to know about key transcendentalist beliefs, an overview of the movement's history, and key players. In Florida, for example, Florida state waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles on the Gulf . 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. Still, there are, 30A's Ultimate Guide to The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck. Efforts to protect and conserve the thriving ecosystem found here are a serious priority as continuous ecological discoveries are being made and new species are being discovered. The exploration companies use 3-D seismic imaging to map areas of the Gulf they are interested in. Where Is the Gulf of Mexico? These animals can sniff it out. This region consists of about 1,394 miles (2,243 km) of coastline. Gulf of Mexico Mission: 'Ocean Blue Holes Are Not Created Equal' Where is the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico? South of Cocodrie at 28.09 degrees North and 90.71 degrees West, Diaphus Bank covers about 20 square miles. Marc Pagani Photography/Shutterstock.com. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? Tourism accounts for $100 billion annually and in 2008 the fishing harvest from five Gulf states totaled $661 million. The Gulf of Mexico supports huge populations of fishes. The grid defines water depth with 1.4 billion 40-by-40 ft cells and is available in feet and meters. Gulf of Mexico Deep-Sea Corals Win Protection The seawater from the Caribbean Sea that enters the Gulf of Mexico via the Yucatn Channel, quickly circulates in a clockwise loop current before exiting the Gulf through the Florida Straits, eventually forming the Gulf Stream. It is a warm Atlantic Ocean current and the warmth of this current is the cause of the formation of devastating Atlantic hurricanes. But it wasnt good enough for biologists who needed a more detailed picture of the area around the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill so they could assess the ecological damage. These nutrients favor the growth of algae and results in an algal bloom. 11 Geographic Facts About the Gulf of Mexico - ThoughtCo It is enclosed largely by North America. A National Geographic team has made the first ascent of the remote Mount Michael, looking for a lava lake in the volcanos crater. SANTA CRUZ, Calif. For the first time, scientists have been able to validate the age of deep-sea black corals in the Gulf of Mexico. The most common found around Alabama beaches are bull sharks, great hammerhead sharks, sand tiger sharks and shortfin mako sharks. The Gulf of Mexico The graphic above shows the varying depths of the Gulf, which can range to over 12,000 feet deep (the darker the blue the deeper the water). 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. For its immense natural resources and historical significance, not many are aware of this Gulf and its role in trade and commerce. Shrimp and oysters are among the largest fish products that come from the Gulf. The rig was located approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, and had a 126-member crew onboard. How big is the Gulf of Mexico? Researchers recently announced that this year the excess fertilizer from farm fields carried to the Gulf of Mexico helped in the development of a low-oxygen, "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico that covered an area of 6,952 square miles - the 8th largest ever measured! 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. The Gulf covers approximately 600,000 square miles. 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! Monster Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, and . Some of the devastating hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico region include Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Ike (2008), Hurricane Harvey (2016), Hurricane Michael (2018), Hurricane Rita, Galveston Hurricane, etc. Ask below and we'll reply! . Diversity | Free Full-Text | On New Species of Three Genera of Animals that wander into the lake dont come out alive. The feature known as Horseshoe Basin in the western Gulf of Mexico shows up far more clearly on the new high-resolution map (right). It is so dense with salt that it does not mix with the surrounding water, just sits there as its own pool of despair in the middle of Gulf waters. 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. 7. Gulf Of Mexico - WorldAtlas Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. One hundred miles southeast of Galveston's muddy shoreline, the Gulf of Mexico becomes a dazzling, vibrant blue. A sea lily (Crinoidea) rests in the middle of a mushroom coral (Anthomastus sp.) The climate of the Gulf of Mexico region varies from tropical to subtropical type. Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Recreation and tourism are also a significant part of the economy of the lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf has a total area of approximately 1,680,000 square kilometers (650,000 square miles) and a maximum depth of approximately 7,020 meters (23,000 ft). The floor of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most geologically interesting stretches of the Earth's surface. The two reefs the East Flower Garden Bank and the West Flower Garden Bank were designated as a marine sanctuary in 1992. NOAA. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? The coastal population of the five US states on the Gulf of Mexico is projected to increase from 44.2 million in 1995 to about 61.4 million in 2025. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Human activities in and around the Gulf of Mexico such as agricultural practices, oil spills, and shipwrecks are harming the ecosystem. In addition to the oil, nearly 2 million gallons of toxic dispersants were sprayed into the Gulf's waters. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico by shore is roughly 5,200 feet. How many rigs are in the Gulf of Mexico? - Short-Fact The success of these procedures cleared the way for a bottom kill, considered to be the most likely means of permanently sealing the leak. At least 25 species of shark are found in the Gulf of Mexico region. Looking for more fun facts? The Brydes whale has recently been declared as an endemic species. Many died from ingesting oil or because it interfered with their ability to regulate their body temperatures. A study has dated the coral to be at least 2,000 years old. Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. Its no secret that the Gulf of Mexico is a great vacation spot! The floor of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most geologically interesting stretches of the Earths surface. 2014). Here's where to find more lumps to fish in the gulf. Besides the economic importance of the Gulf of Mexico, there are countless natural treasures to be found. The Overwater Argument. The coral is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, and the Gulf Coast of the United States on the north, which includes the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas (map). The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. Most of the basin consists of shallow intertidal areas, but its deepest point is called Sigsbee Deep and has an estimated depth of about 14,383 feet (4,384 m). The Padre Island is the worlds longest barrier island. The Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil and hence several offshore oil drilling rigs have been drilled for exploration and mining in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. See the Gulf of Mexico's Seafloor Like Never Before With This 1.4 Over the centuries, people continued to use the Gulf of Mexico as a source of food and resources, as well as for navigation. The Gulf of Mexico has been a source of oil since 1938, when the first oil well was drilled there. Leopard is located in OCS block Alaminos Canyon (AC) 691, approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the Whale discovery, 20 miles (32 km) south of the recently appraised Blacktip discovery . It borders the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as well as the island of Cuba and parts of Mexico. The US States that border the Gulf of Mexico are famous for their beautiful beaches. The Gulfs basin is unusually flat, with a gradient of only about 1 foot per every 8,000 feet. Because salt doesnt compact under the weight of overlying layers like sediment does, it ends up being less dense than the sediment above it. 30A has raised over $3 million for coastal charities, and has given away 4 million of its famous blue 30A stickers. Its no secret that the best seafood comes from the Gulf, which is why 75% of the shrimp in the United States comes from the Gulf of Mexico. They said this would protect shipping, and in the event of an emergency, rescue would be nearby. The effect of the microscopic oil droplets on the ecosystem was unknown, though their presence, along with that of a layer of oil several inches thick discovered on portions of the seafloor in September, cast doubt on earlier predictions about the speed with which the discharged oil would dissipate.