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The National Geographic Society announced Monday that it will recognize five oceans, including the new Southern Ocean that surrounds Antarctica.
“Scientists have known for a long time that there is a distinct ecological zone around Antarctica,” National Geographic geographer Alex Tait told The Washington Post.
The larger scientific community debated what to do with the Fifth Ocean, as well as the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic oceans.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said there was a fifth ocean in 1999. The name “Southern Ocean” was approved by the American Board of Geographical Names soon after.
But the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) did not approve of the ocean’s existence. The National Geographic Society often consults with the International Hydrographic Organization, the Washington Post reports.
In the past, the National Geographic Society recognized the fifth ocean on maps, but decided to clarify that there was little agreement on the matter to make it an official ocean yet, according to The Washington Post.
“We thought it was important at this point to officially recognize her,” Tate told The Washington Post. “People look at us for geographical truth: how many continents, how many countries, how many oceans? So far, we said four oceans.”
According to NBC News, the region around Antarctica is unique.
“The waters that surround Antarctica have distinct environmental characteristics, including their unique current patterns known as the Antarctic Current, or ACC,” NBC News reports.
Tate told National Geographic that he hopes children at school will learn more about the ocean.
“Students learn about the ocean world through the oceans they study,” Tate told National Geographic. “If you don’t include the Southern Ocean, you will not learn its details and how important it is.”
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