The Southern Ocean Trivia Questions

The Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica south of 60°S latitude, far from the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Southern Ocean is the only ocean that surrounds Antarctica entirely, stretching from the continent's coast to the Antarctic Convergence at about 60°S.

The Southern Ocean is the second smallest ocean, larger only than the Arctic Ocean. The Pacific is the largest, followed by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The Southern Ocean is the coldest ocean, with temperatures near freezing. Volcanic activity occurs but does not warm the entire ocean; the Arctic Ocean is also very cold.

In 1773, Captain James Cook became the first recorded explorer to cross the Antarctic Circle, sailing into what is now defined as the Southern Ocean.

Magellan named the Pacific Ocean in the 1520s. The Southern Ocean was not formally named until much later; the term 'Southern Ocean' was used historically but officially recognized in 2000.

The IHO proposed the Southern Ocean in a 2000 draft, but the proposal was never ratified due to member state disputes. Thus, the IHO has not officially recognized it as a distinct ocean.

The International Hydrographic Organization defines the Southern Ocean as the waters south of 60°S latitude, which encircles Antarctica.