The Pacific Ocean
We had the pleasure to attend a lecture by Nitza Lowestein today, on the topic of the Pacific Ocean. Nitza is an Australian citizen, historian and lecturer on all manner of topics. Her presentation was full of interesting information, wonderful slides and fun quips about the largest ocean on the planet earth.
Did you know that 71% of the earth is covered in water, and the Pacific Ocean comprises 50% of that amount? Also, the Pacific Ocean covers 1/3 of the total square space of the earth, more than all of the land masses combined. In other words, if you put Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica together, and it would still not as big as the Pacific Ocean.
Another fun fact: scientists believe there is an 8th continent, Zealandia, which would include New Zealand and New Caledonia. This partially sunken continent in the Pacific, discovered in 1995, can be seen with high tech satellites. Millions of years ago, the tectonic plates pushed the island continent downward into the ocean, with only New Zealand and New Caledonia remaining visible. Wow!
We captured many of the lecture slides and thought you might enjoy learning more about the Pacific Ocean, just like we did.
Slide Credits: Nitza Lowenstein
Tomorrow: Sea Day
Post Gallery
Nitza Lowenstein, our lecturer on the Coral Princess.
Image of smaller seas or bodies of water that are just a part of the Pacific Ocean. We will traverse most of them.
52 countries border the Pacific Ocean.
The different island groups in the Pacific. We've visited Polynesia and Melanesia on this trip.
The history of immigration throughout Polynesia.
The Ring of Fire of volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean.
Much of the pressure within the ring of fire is released through volcanoes under the ocean. These can cause tsunamis.
All of the world's tectonic plates.
The Mariana Trench is the result of two tectonic plates coming together.
The Mariana Trench is the lowest spot on earth, even lower than Mount Everest is high.
Satellite imagery shows how big Zealandia would be.
So far, we've been to mostly volcanic islands. However, New Zealand will be a continental island.
Nitza Lowenstein, on the Coral Princess
So far on this journey, we've been in warm current but we will move to cool currents when we circle Australia.
How ocean currents affect the climate on the land.
Ocean currents are called gyres.
Currents in the oceans.
The current trade routes across the Pacific.
Unfortunately, there are two "garbage patches" in the Pacific Ocean.
We saw the western floating garbage patch (and you will also most probably) sailing around Southeast Asia. It’s mostly made up of single use water bottles. It was a wake up call to the urgency of protecting clean water access in third world nations and protecting the earth’s oceans.
Nice education for today!
I love learning vicariously! Miss you guys!
Miss you too! We reminenise a
Your daily updates are excellent, full of great ideas and adventures and education! Thanks!
Thank you Heather!