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Sargasso Sea

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Sargasso Sea

The only sea defined by ocean currents rather than coastlines/Oceans & Seas

The Sargasso Sea is unique among Earth's seas: it has no land boundaries, instead being defined by four ocean currents that form the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. Covering about 3.1 million square kilometers in the western North Atlantic, it is named for the floating Sargassum seaweed that accumulates on its surface. The sea is remarkably clear (visibility up to 60 m) and calm, and serves as the spawning ground for both European and American eels, which make epic migrations to breed here. The Bermuda Triangle overlaps its western edge.

Measurements

Approximate area3.1 trillion m2
4.3 trillionBath towels
295 billionTrampoline surfaces

3.1 million km2, varies with currents

East-west extent3.2 million m
13.6Jamaica lengths
28.1 millionPopsicle lengths

Approximate width

North-south extent1.1 million m
1.8 quadrillionAspirin molecules
1.1 millionTuba heights

Approximate height

Average depth4,500 m
5,294Cricket bats
118,110Silver dollar diameters
3,462Bathrobe lengths

Deep open ocean

Water clarity (visibility)60 m
390 billionDiamond bond lengths
21.4 quadrillionElectron radii
35.3Human arm spans

Exceptionally clear water

Surface temperature297 K
2.3 tenthsKiln firings
9.5 tenthsLive chickens

About 24 degrees C

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