The Southern Ocean

Summary
A lesson on the geography of the Southern Ocean. The reading is accompanied by true/false questions.

Objectives
• To introduce students to the geography of the Southern Ocean.

Suggested Grades
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade

Excerpt
Even though oceanographers currently define five oceans on earth, in reality there is but one ocean. The fact that the ocean is one single entity and the divisions of the ocean are man-made was underscored by recent events in oceanography. In 2000 the International Hydrographic Organization set forth a proposal to its member nations to define an additional ocean called the Southern Ocean. While Southern Ocean is the preferred name, some use the name Antarctic Ocean. The International Hydrographic Organization consists of 68 member nations; a requirement for membership is having a coastline on the ocean.

The Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic Oceans are defined based upon the land boundaries of continents. The Southern Ocean, however, is demarcated solely by the 60 degree South line of latitude.

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