On the night of April 20 a surge of natural gas blasted through a concrete core recently installed by contractor Halliburton in order to seal the well for later use. The marine flora in the Gulf of Mexico includes seagrasses, mangroves, marine algae, and marsh grasses. The distance will be displayed below the map in miles or kilometers. This surpassed the 3.3 million barrels that spilled into the Bay of Campeche by the Mexican rig Ixtoc I in 1979. This involves towing high-powered underwater air guns behind a ship. All major bodies of saltwater, including the oceans, are ocean basins. ThoughtCo, Sep. 8, 2021, thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544. Its no secret that the Gulf of Mexico is a great vacation spot! About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. 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. Scientists just confirmed a 30-foot void first detected inside the monument years ago. 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 of Mexico by shore is roughly 5,200 feet. Today, the most serious pollution threats to the Gulf of Mexico come from oil drilling and agricultural runoff. The wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico cover around 5 million acres (2.02 million hectares). The rig capsized and sank on the morning of April 22, rupturing the riser, through which drilling mud had been injected in order to counteract the upward pressure of oil and natural gas. Claims by several research groups that subsurface plumes of dispersed hydrocarbons had been detected in May were initially dismissed by BP and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Gulf of Mexico was the site of a largeoil spillthat occurred on April 22, 2010, when an oil drilling platform, the Deepwater Horizon, suffered an explosion and sank into the Gulf about 50 miles (80 km) from Louisiana. A Deep Dive into the United States First Underwater Museum, This article appears in the inaugural issue of 30AsBeach HappyMagazine. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Gulfs basin is unusually flat, with a gradient of only about 1 foot per every 8,000 feet. Some of the notable species include Southern Moon jelly, Mushroom jelly, Upside-down jelly, Cannonball jellyfish, Atlantic Sea Nettle, Pink Meanie, and Portuguese Man of War. 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. 2014). (April 23, 2010). About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. The Overwater Argument. n o date, more than $11.6 billion has been paid to Gulf-area T The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. Over 750 historical shipwrecks have occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, some of which date back to the 16th century. Human activities in and around the Gulf of Mexico such as agricultural practices, oil spills, and shipwrecks are harming the ecosystem. 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. 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 Gulf of Mexico is the largest Gulf in the world and the tenth biggest body of water in the world. When did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill happen? Coordinates: 24.487, -89.5363. Without a doubt, the sugar-white sand beaches on the Alabama and Florida gulf coast are among the most beautiful on the planet. Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also called Gulf of Mexico oil spill, largest marine oil spill in history, caused by an April 20, 2010, explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil riglocated in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 41 miles (66 km) off the coast of Louisiana and its subsequent sinking on April 22. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The BP Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in 2010 spilled 205.8 million gallons of oil and 225,000 tons of methane into the Gulf of Mexico. Both oceans and gulfs are large bodies of saltwater, but gulfs are smaller and are bordered on three sides by land. An important feature of the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf Stream, which is a warm Atlantic current that begins in the region and flows north into the Atlantic Ocean. Most areas incurred over 40 inches of rain within a 4-day period, in contrast, Nederland, Texas saw an astonishing 60 inches of rainfall! The 'extreme cruelty' around the global trade in frog legs, What does cancer smell like? Gulf of Mexico water temperature: The surface water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico, as recorded in February, varies from 18C in the northern part of the Gulf to about 24C off the Yucatn coast. NOAA. 9. Nearly all offshore oil and natural gas leasing and development activity currently occurs in the central and western Gulf of Mexico, where thousands of . The grid defines water depth with 1.4 billion 40-by-40 ft cells and is available in feet and meters. The Jacuzzi of Despair as its called, is a combination of methane gas and hydrogen sulfide that kills all creatures who enter it. Some portions of the loop current often break away, forming gyres or eddies which further affects the regional current patterns. This is twice the size of Texas. 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! Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. 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. coastline, at least 1,200 square miles of the deep ocean floor, and 68,000 square miles of surface water. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Where is the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico? The First European Settlement Was at Pensacola Bay, Over 60 Million Americans Live Along the Gulf. Endangered marine species such as sperm whales and West Indian manatees are found in the gulf along with nearly 50 shark species like tiger and bull sharks. 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. . The explosion Its called the Gulf of Mexico. It has been estimated that the Gulf of Mexico yields more shrimp, finfish, and shellfish per year than the New England, Chesapeake, south, and Mid-Atlantic areas combined. During the summer months, the sea surface temperature rises to about 32C. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded visiting our coast while migrating southward. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. These animals can sniff it out. A large oil spill occurred on April 22, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico, when the Deepwater Horizon an oil drilling platform, suffered an explosion and sank into the Gulf. On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon platform caused the largest oil spill in history. The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. In addition to the oil, nearly 2 million gallons of toxic dispersants were sprayed into the Gulf's waters. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? Due to the warm waters, moist air, and strong current of the Gulf Steam when storms originating in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean move west and collide it creates the perfect conditions for hurricanes to form. Construction of two such wells had begun in May. You can try your hand at the pirates life with an adventure on a pirate ship cruise in Orange Beach. It comprises a volume of around 2,500 quadrillions (a real number!) Ask questions; get answers. The Florida Panhandle becomes a magical realm when you put on scuba gear, dive in the ocean, and breathe underwater. The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). At least 33 species of whales are found in the Gulf of Mexico. The Padre Island is the worlds longest barrier island. An ocean basin is simply any large area covered with seawater and located below sea level. The Gulf of Mexico features a wide continental shelf, specifically around Florida and the Yucatn Peninsula. Still, there are, 30A's Ultimate Guide to The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck. But the Gulf is also a habitat for other sea animals including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and manatees. Hurricanes are common along the Gulf Coast, such as Katrina in 2005, Ike in 2008, Harvey in 2016, and Michael in 2018. The Gulf of Mexico is believed to contain over 660 quadrillion gallons of water. Houston, New Orleans, Cancun, Tampa, Key West, Havana, San Francisco de Campeche, Mobile, Gulfport, Tampico, Veracruz, Ciudad del Carmen, Coatzacoalcos, Corpus Christi are some of the major urban settlements along the Gulf. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest ocean basinin the world, covering almost 600,000 square miles. Different species of jellyfish are also commonly found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In the fall of 2021, nine new sections of reefs totaling 110 square miles were added to the pre-existing zones. The Gulf of Mexico is roughly oval-shaped with a long dimension of about 950 mi (1,500 km). A Comprehensive Guide. The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. No, although many people make that mistake, as the definition of an ocean is actually somewhat vague. You may commission us to create customized maps, infographics and stories as well. The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated depth of around 14,383 feet. Where Is the Gulf of Mexico? The Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf in the world, as well as the worlds 9th largest body of water. Ukraine Russia War Crisis: Everything You Wanted to Know. After numerous shipwrecks, the explorers decided to establish settlements in the lands surrounding the Gulf, to minimize the number of shipments from Europe. . 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). ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Because it is a warm current, sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are normally also warm, which feeds Atlantic hurricanes and helps in giving them strength. "Geography of the Gulf of Mexico." They die when they enter and are preserved by the high salt content, pickled in their tracks! Monster Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, and . 30A has raised over $3 million for coastal charities, and has given away 4 million of its famous blue 30A stickers. This entailed pumping cement through a channelknown as a relief wellthat paralleled and eventually intersected the original well. Not according to biology or history. The western end of the island of Cuba forms a partial barrier to the eastern Gulf of Mexico, where it joins the Caribbean Sea. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 made land shore as a Category 4 hurricane that caused historic flooding and left Houston and Southeast Texas devastated. The evaporation and filling of saltwater in the basin over the millennia created deposits and mounds that today appear as cliffs bordering Sigsbee Deep. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. The casual observer would need to watch the coral for many years possibly hundreds to notice any difference in its growth, however. 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! Besides the economic importance of the Gulf of Mexico, there are countless natural treasures to be found. in English from Illinois State University in 2005. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill began on April 20, 2010, when an explosion damaged the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. Some bivalve species that are found here include oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops. 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. One escarpment has a towering drop of 1,220 meters and extends for 560 kilometers, or 348 miles. Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Population along the Gulf coast exploded in the 1950s, and the rising number of people living along the Gulf resulted in increased pollution problems. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. Later, as the basin became a gulf, the salt was covered with sediment deposited by rivers. The narrow subtropical sea is 1,130km (700 miles) long and 80-209km (50-130 miles) wide. Maybe youre aware that its located along the Gulf coast but dont know the exact boundaries, or maybe youre trying to figure out if its part of the Atlantic Ocean or not. Though the leak had slowed, it was estimated by a government-commissioned panel of scientists that 4,900,000 barrels of oil had already leaked into the gulf. However, around 300 million years ago, in the late Triassic period, plate tectonics caused rifting within Pangea, and a rich oceanic basin created what is now the worlds largest gulf. 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. A new high-resolution map of the floor of the Gulf of Mexico was released to the public. The Gulf of Mexico is shallower, saltier, and warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. 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 defective BOP and the capping stack were removed in early September and replaced by a functioning BOP. 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. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is approximately 1,600 meters, or 5,200 feet. Roughly 4.9 million barrels worth of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, causing massive damage to marine, wildlife, and fishing habitats. The Gulf of Mexico supports different species of flora and fauna and is widely recognized for its diversity and productivity. One of the most devastating was Hurricane Katrina, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 and caused over 1,200 deaths and $125 billion in damage, mostly concentrated in New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding areas. These islands are Galveston, Follets, Matagorda, St. Josephs (San Jos), Mustang, Padre, and Brazos. The Gulf of Mexico is an inlet connecting Mexico and the United States to the ocean and is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean. In the Sarasota area the Gulf is best known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. In 2011, the oil taken from the gulf made up 54 percent of U.S. oil. Geography of the Gulf of Mexico. (April 28, 2010). Though fitted loosely over the BOP and allowing some oil to escape, the cap enabled BP to siphon approximately 15,000 barrels of oil per day to a tanker. The North-West Gulf of Mexico. The floor of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most geologically interesting stretches of the Earth's surface. Bats and agaves make tequila possibleand theyre both at risk, This empress was the most dangerous woman in Rome. The two designs are sized and analyzed for the new Gulf of Mexico metocean criteria. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. You can change between miles or km at any time. The Gulf covers approximately 600,000 square miles. 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. Measuring from Florida to the Yucatan, the coastline of the Gulf measures 3,540 miles long and boasts some of the worlds best beaches. The strange geology of the floor of the Gulf is mostly caused by thick underlying layers of salt. This region consists of about 1,394 miles (2,243 km) of coastline. Data gathered by oil exploration companies was combined to create the highest resolution map ever made of the area. [3] The Sigsbee Abyssal Plain is the deepest and flattest sector of the deep basin.[1]. Fishermen found Heather Strickland's body in a trash bag miles off the coast of Pinellas County, Florida, in December 2022. The 30A Company | 30A, Beach Happy and Life Shines are Registered Trademarks, By: Shannon Serpette | Posted Dec 17, 2021, The Five Beachiest Birds to Look for in the Sand and Skies, As a beach lover its likely you know that birds, much like other beach features, are never the same at every beach.
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