How deep is the Gulf of Mexico at its furthest point from its surface? One escarpment has a towering drop of 1,220 meters and extends for 560 kilometers, or 348 miles. . Thankfully close to 80% of hurricanes formed lose strength and dissipate before reaching land. Through the process of upwelling, which occurs near the Florida coast of the Gulf, the cooler nutrient-rich water from the deeper parts of the Gulf is brought to the surface. Over the next 150 million years the gulf continued to deepen and enlarge with the movements of the earth. Over the centuries, people continued to use the Gulf of Mexico as a source of food and resources, as well as for navigation. To learn more about the Gulf of Mexico, visit theGulf of Mexico Programfrom the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The US states of Texas and Florida are recognized as the most rapidly growing states. ", Robertson, Campbell and Leslie Kaufman. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/23/nation/la-na-oil-rig-20100423, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/us/29spill.html, http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/about/facts.html#resources, M.A., Geography, California State University - East Bay, B.A., English and Geography, California State University - Sacramento, Fausset, Richard. In response to their call for help, the BOEM devised a way to make a high-resolution map by combining the data from several 3-D seismic surveys that exploration companies had done in the area. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. [3] The Sigsbee Abyssal Plain is the deepest and flattest sector of the deep basin.[1]. One hundred miles southeast of Galveston's muddy shoreline, the Gulf of Mexico becomes a dazzling, vibrant blue. The biota of the Gulf includes different chemosynthetic and non-chemosynthetic organisms ranging from microorganisms like benthos, meiofauna to other macro-organisms like crabs, sea pens, crinoids, and other marine fauna. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? "Sigsbee Deep" applied to the entire deep basin appears on some of the earliest charts of the Gulf of Mexico. Before the Gulf of Mexico exists the landscape was a continuous mountain range that spanned from Central Mexico up to West Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama where it connected to the Appalachia Mountains. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. A National Geographic team has made the first ascent of the remote Mount Michael, looking for a lava lake in the volcanos crater. Coordinates: 24.487, -89.5363. Many died from ingesting oil or because it interfered with their ability to regulate their body temperatures. 5. The gulf's peculiar history gave rise to a landscape riddled with domes,. The Spanish explorer Tristn de Luna y Arellano landed at Pensacola Bay and established a settlement on August 15, 1559. The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. The Gulf covers approximately 600,000 square miles. "A recent forecast of the size of the 'Dead ZoneR 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. Clear Map How To Use Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 1 Click to place marker 1. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. Water depths range from about 170 feet deep to about 450 feet deep. ThoughtCo, Sep. 8, 2021, thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544. Youre probably familiar with the beautiful sandy beaches in Florida or the sprawling coastlines packed with beachgoers in South Padre Island, however, there are countless beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to be found throughout Mexico, Cuba, and the U.S. With an average temperature between 84F and 88F the Gulf of Mexico is a perfect vacation destination. In this guide, we explain exactly where the Gulf of Mexico is and what its boundaries are, and we include a Gulf of Mexico map so you can see a visual of it. We have not only provided the answer to the question here but have also explored more interesting facts about the Gulf. "By clicking OK or by using this Website, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. 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. Heres why each season begins twice. Recreational and commercial fishing, water sports, scuba diving, and tourism also forms a significant part of the economy of the surrounding areas. The Gulf of Mexico is somewhat shallow, along the coastal continental shelf areas, and has an average depth of 1,615m. They are often connected to the ocean by narrow water passages but that is not always observed in all geographical areas. Why wetlands are so critical for life on Earth, Rest in compost? How many miles deep is the Gulf of Mexico? These islands are Galveston, Follets, Matagorda, St. Josephs (San Jos), Mustang, Padre, and Brazos. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with Sarasota Bay and other local estuaries. The Gulf of Mexico shares its borders with the United States on the north, northeast, and northwest, and Mexico on the southwest, and the south. Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. This surpassed the 3.3 million barrels that spilled into the Bay of Campeche by the Mexican rig Ixtoc I in 1979. The cited reference discusses differences in United States and IHO committee views and variations between names recommended by the Advisory Committee on Undersea Features (ACUF) of the U. S. BGN and the GEBCO committee. The basin has an area of 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km) and most of it consists of shallow intertidal areas but there are some very deep portions. While most of the Gulf of Mexico is fairly shallow, its deepest point is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated maximum depth of 14,383 feet! The exploration companies use 3-D seismic imaging to map areas of the Gulf they are interested in. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544. Due to the warm water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, hurricanes regularly form there. Bacteria that had adapted to consuming naturally occurring gas and oil seeping from the seabed were thought to have consumed a portion of it. These four industries produce nearly $234 billion annually. (April 28, 2010). Various waterfowl, shorebirds, coral reef, and endangered sea turtles establish their habitats in the Gulf of Mexico which is crucial to their survival. A second disposal location roughly 125 miles south of Galveston, Texas, is known as Site A, and the Mississippi Canyon area is known as Site B. Beach Happy ???????? It has been estimated by researchers that the Gulf of Mexico was formed as a result of seafloor subsidence, due to the movement of the Tectonic Plates over 300 million years ago. These nutrients favor the growth of algae and results in an algal bloom. The Overwater Argument. An ocean basin, it is bounded on the northeast, . 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. All rights reserved. The Gulf is a very accessible body of water. What caused the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Hurricane Harvey in 2017 made land shore as a Category 4 hurricane that caused historic flooding and left Houston and Southeast Texas devastated. Two days later, following a series of pressure tests, it was announced that the well was completely sealed. Because salt doesnt compact under the weight of overlying layers like sediment does, it ends up being less dense than the sediment above it. The Gulf of Mexico is bordered by 1,680 miles of US coastline. Not sure where the Gulf of Mexico is? During this period the conditions are favorable for the development of hurricanes. The Gulf of Mexico is shallower, saltier, and warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. This is the text I received from Captain Steve Papen after yet another cancelled trip due to unfavorable conditions. in English from Illinois State University in 2005. Supported by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA) Ocean Exploration and Research, the research team recently completed an expedition into the Green Banana Blue Hole . The exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico feed the powerful Atlantic hurricanes which in turn cause widespread destruction. Both oceans and gulfs are large bodies of saltwater, but gulfs are smaller and are bordered on three sides by land. They said this would protect shipping, and in the event of an emergency, rescue would be nearby. 2. The floor of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most geologically interesting stretches of the Earth's surface. She has a wonderful poodle-terrier mix named Nelson, and together, they enjoy long walks, outdoor adventures, and playing with his many toys. [3] The actual maximum depth is disputed and estimates range between 3,750 and 4,384 metres (12,303 and 14,383 ft). The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. This has led to the creation of dead zones in the Gulf Region, which runs east-west for over 22,730 km2 along the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Gulfs are formed as a result of plate tectonics and are usually larger and more deeply indented than the bays. These complex ecosystems include corals, fish, anemones, sponges, and sea cucumbers-but limited knowledge about these habitats creates challenges for their restoration. What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? In addition to being home to so many incredible beaches, it is also a very unique region of the world. The western end of the island of Cuba forms a partial barrier to the eastern Gulf of Mexico, where it joins the Caribbean Sea. One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. 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. To the southeast, it's bounded by the Caribbean Sea and Cuba. Interested in early American history? of Mexico before you plan a fishing trip. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! 10. Description [ edit] The basin is located in the southwestern quadrant of the Gulf, with its closest point to the U.S. coast at 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas. Eleven people died in the explosion and an estimated 5,000 barrels of oil per day leaked into the Gulf of Mexico from the 18,000-foot (5,486 m) well on the platform.