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For the first time since mapping began over a century ago, the National Geographic Society said it would recognize the Southern Ocean as the world’s fifth ocean.
The nonprofit has previously recognized four oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic.
Scientists have long recognized the Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica, but community geographer Alex Tait said in an article announcing the decision that because there was no international consensus, it was not officially recognized by the National Geographic Society.
“I am excited that we are taking the step to officially recognize the Southern Ocean as the fifth ocean in the world,” Tate said in an email to Fox News on Thursday. “There is, of course, one global ocean that is interconnected but contains regions. Traditionally there have been four regions but the waters around Antarctica make up a fifth unique region.”
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According to the article, cartographers debated whether the waters were merely extensions of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
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National Geographic says that the Southern Ocean is defined by a roughly 34-million-year-old current called the Antarctic Oceanic Current (ACC).
The water within the ACC, which flows from west to east, is said to be cooler and less salty than the northern ocean waters.
The ACC also transports more water than any other ocean current, drawing water from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and activating the global circulation system known as the “Conveyor Belt”.
The deep-ocean continuous circulation system transports heat around the world, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In addition, National Geographic has noted that the cold, dense water that falls to the ocean floor in Antarctica helps store carbon—a factor in climate—and that water moving through the ACC is getting warmer.
“We have chosen to update our map policy to primarily identify the Southern Ocean due to its distinct environmental characteristics. This includes the polar currents and winds that isolate Antarctica, temperature and salinity gradients, and the resulting influence of the region on Earth’s climate,” Tate said. She noted that drawing attention to the oceans is an “important part of educating geography.”
Another factor to declare is the “ecologically distinct” ocean environment, with unique marine ecosystems under threat from industrial fishing.
“By drawing attention to the Southern Ocean, the National Geographic Society hopes to advance its preservation,” the publication said.
“By recognizing the Southern Ocean as Earth’s fifth ocean, we hope it will draw attention to the unique means of protection that is urgently needed in this region. This includes, but is not limited to, the unique and fragile marine ecosystems that are home to wonderful marine life such as whales and penguins. Seals and fish species “Tate. “With climate change, we need to provide protected areas in all ocean regions, including the Southern Ocean.”
Antarctica, February 2016: Spectacular icebergs the size of small countries threaten to collapse, captured in February 2016, Antarctica. (Credit: Freedive Antarctica/Barcroft M/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Oceans, made up of salt water, cover more than 70% of the Earth and an estimated 97% of the planet’s water is in the ocean.
To date, more than 80% of the world’s oceans have not been mapped or explored.
While the National Geographic Society has been updating its maps for decades, large revisions are uncommon and generally the maps follow the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) guidelines on marine names.
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While the International Hydrographic Organization—working with the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names—recognized the Southern Ocean in 1937, it reversed course in 1953.
Conversely, the American Board of Geographical Names has used the name since 1999.
In February, NOAA officially recognized the Southern Ocean as well.
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