The Gulf of Mexico ( Spanish: Golfo de México) is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, largely surrounded by the North American continent.
Is the golf of Mexico considered as an ocean?
The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world at a width of 810 nautical miles (1,500 km). The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). Most of the basin consists of shallow intertidal areas, but its deepest point is called Sigsbee Deep and has an estimated depth of about 14,383 feet (4,384 m).
How many states boarder the golf of Mexico?
Apr 04, 2011 · The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by five states of the United States on the northern and the eastern border, five Mexican states on its western and southern border, and Cuba to the southeast (Fig. 18.1 ).
What states border the golf of Mexico?
Nov 27, 2019 · The Gulf of Mexico (Golfo de México in Spanish) is located in the Atlantic Ocean, and the majority of it is bordered by the United States and Mexico. To its north, northeast, and northwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Gulf Coast of the United States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida).
When is fishing season in Gulf of Mexico?
Dec 17, 2021 · The Gulf of Mexico is a rich reservoir of natural gas and oil. In 2011, the oil taken from the gulf made up 54 percent of U.S. oil. Natural gas wasn’t far behind, comprising 47 percent of the U.S. totals. The first oil well was drilled in the Gulf in 1938. Since that time thousands of wells have followed.
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What is the Gulf of Mexico considered?
Although the Gulf of Mexico is considered to be a part of the Atlantic Ocean, since an ocean has no boundaries, the Gulf and the Atlantic are still separated by the Caribbean Sea. In addition to their boundaries, there are numerous ways these two bodies of water vary and therefore, the beaches we enjoy are unique.
What is the Gulf of Mexico known for?
The Gulf of Mexico is a major source of oil for the United States. In fact, it's responsible for 54% of oil production in the U.S., and 47% of natural gas production. However, this does have a downside, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 which poured an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil in the Gulf.
Who does Gulf of Mexico belong to?
The Gulf of Mexico is an important economic region for all the three countries (Cuba, Mexico, and United States) that border it. The Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil and hence several offshore oil drilling rigs have been drilled for exploration and mining in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region.
Why is it called Gulf of Mexico?
The European discoverer of the Gulf was Sebastián de Ocampo, who sailed around the western end of Cuba in 1508. The earliest maps referred to the Gulf as Seno Mejicano or Golfo de la Nueva España, but it was named Golfo Mexicano on the 1569 Mercator map.
Why is the Gulf of Mexico so dirty?
It was caused by high levels of nutrient runoff into the Mississippi River that left the water emptying into the Gulf of Mexico with high levels of nitrogen. Those nitrogen levels cause overgrowth of algae and other vegetation that deplete much of the oxygen from the water and kills fish.
What are 5 interesting facts about the Gulf of Mexico?
7 Things You Didn't Know About the Gulf of MexicoIt's the Largest Gulf in the World and the Tenth Largest Body of Water on the Planet. ... It has Incredibly Old Black Coral Reefs. ... The Sharks Love It. ... Home to the “Hot Tub of Despair” ... Shipwreck Central. ... Some Areas Are Really, Really Deep. ... It Holds as Much Power as Beauty.Dec 17, 2021
Does Mexico control the Gulf of Mexico?
There has been a long-standing dispute over control of the Gulf, between the United States of America, Mexico, the Caribbean islands, Cuba, and other surrounding nations. This is partly due to the presence of large oil fields in the region.Dec 6, 2021
What happened in Gulf of Mexico?
On April 20, 2010, the oil drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, operating in the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, exploded and sank resulting in the death of 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon and the largest spill of oil in the history of marine oil drilling operations.
Is the Gulf of Mexico in USA?
The Gulf Coast of the United States is the coastline along the Southern United States where they meet the Gulf of Mexico. The coastal states that have a shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and these are known as the Gulf States....Gulf Coast of the United States.Gulf Coast• Total64,008,3459 more rows
Why is the Gulf of Mexico water brown?
The brown water has nothing to do with pollution. It is simply due to the way the earth was constructed. Many blame the Gulf oil spill, but it has been long cleaned up from the waters.Dec 2, 2021
Can you swim in the Gulf of Mexico?
Yes, it is completely safe to swim in the Gulf of Mexico. Very rarely do we experience red tide or any other issues.
Which is biggest Gulf in world?
The Gulf of MexicoThe Gulf of Mexico, bordered by the United States, Mexico, and the island nation of Cuba, is the worlds largest gulf. It has a coastline of about 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles).Sep 14, 2011
How deep is the Gulf of Mexico?
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.
What is the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico?
Gulf of Mexico water temperature: The surface water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico, as recorded in February, varies from 18°C in the northern part of the Gulf to about 24°C off the Yucatán coast. During the summer months, the sea surface temperature rises to about 32°C.
What is the largest gulf in the world?
Covering an area of 1,507,639 km 2, the Gulf of Mexico is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and the world’s largest gulf. It is largely surrounded by the continent of North America.
How are gulfs formed?
A gulf is an inlet of the ocean into the land. Gulfs are formed as a result of plate tectonics and are usually larger and more deeply indented than the bays. They are often connected to the ocean by narrow water passages but that is not always observed in all geographical areas. Covering an area of 1,507,639 km 2, the Gulf of Mexico is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and the world’s largest gulf. It is largely surrounded by the continent of North America.
Which river drains into the Gulf of Mexico?
The Mississippi is the largest river that drains into the Gulf of Mexico and carries with it an extraordinary amount of these contaminants into the Gulf. This has led to the creation of dead zones in the Gulf Region, which runs east-west for over 22,730 km 2 along the coasts of Louisiana and Texas.
When does hurricane season start in Florida?
Hurricane Season of Gulf of Mexico: The hurricane season officially begins at the beginning of June and ends in late November. During this period the conditions are favorable for the development of hurricanes.
Where do hurricanes make landfall?
These hurricanes are either formed or make their way into the Gulf and eventually make landfall in the areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the devastating hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico region include Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Ike (2008), Hurricane Harvey (2016), Hurricane Michael (2018), Hurricane Rita, Galveston Hurricane, ...
What is the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, and the Gulf Coast of the United States on the north, which includes the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas ( map ).
How deep is the Gulf of Mexico?
Most of the basin consists of shallow intertidal areas, but its deepest point is called Sigsbee Deep and has an estimated depth of about 14,383 feet (4,384 m).
Why is tourism important in Mexico?
Tourism Is Important to the Economy . Recreation and tourism are also a significant part of the economy of the lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational fishing is popular, as are water sports and tourism along the coastal regions.
When was the Gulf of Mexico discovered?
The first European exploration of the Gulf of Mexico occurred in 1497 when Amerigo Vespucci sailed along Central America and entered the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida (the strip of water between present-day Florida and Cuba).
Who is Amanda Briney?
Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, ...
What are the states that border the Gulf of Mexico?
Along the south and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatán. This region consists of about 1,394 miles (2,243 km) of coastline. The southeast is bordered by the northwest portion of Cuba, which includes the capital, Havana.
How did the Gulf of Mexico form?
The Gulf of Mexico Formed from Sinking. The Gulf of Mexico likely formed as a result of seafloor subsidence (or the gradual sinking of the seafloor) about 300 million years ago.
What is the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean bordered by five states of the United States on the northern and the eastern border, five Mexican states on its western and southern border, and Cuba to the southeast (Fig. 18.1 ). The GOM is ninth, fifth, and ninth among oceans and semienclosed seas in terms of its area ...
Where is the Northern Gulf of Mexico?
The subject of this Chapter is the Northern Gulf of Mexico basin, defined as the part of the greater basin that lies northwest of the abyssal plain. It extends from Tampico in the southwest to Arkansas in the north and the west coast of Florida in the east ( Fig. 16.2 ).
How much oil does the Gulf of Mexico produce?
As of 2020, the Gulf of Mexico is the second most productive oil basin in the western hemisphere, producing 2 million barrels of oil per day , following only the Permian basin of west Texas and New Mexico, which produces 5 million barrels of oil per day.
How deep is the Gulf of Mexico?
The modern shelf edge, as reflected by a well-defined increase in basinward gradient, generally lies at a depth of 100 to 120 m. Landward, the northwestern, northern, and eastern Gulf of Mexico is bounded by broad, low-gradient shelves that range from 100 to 300 km in width ( Fig. 16.1 ).
What is the importance of the Gom?
The GoM is not only the neighboring ocean body to the SEUS but also a continuous source of revenue stream as it is an important resource for seafood and shellfish, oil and gas, and its coastal beaches are a vital attraction to draw tourists to its shores . The importance of the GoM is further asserted by the fact that, without the influence of the GoM supplying the moisture, the US corn belt in midwestern region would not likely be so named ( Chang and Oey, 2010a ). The GoM is a semi-enclosed sea that is connected to the Caribbean Sea to the south through the Yucatan Channel and the Atlantic Ocean in the east through the Straits of Florida ( Fig. 4.20 ). The circulation in the GoM is dominated by the Caribbean Current/Loop Current/Florida Current system, as well as the eddies off the Loop Current ( Fig. 4.20 ). These mesoscale circulations and their variability played a key role in the distribution of oil and oil dispersants in the GoM, which followed the Deepwater Horizon incident ( Joliff et al., 2014 ). The Loop Current is part of the upper branch of the AMOC ( Fig. 4.21 ), which makes it all the more important to understand as AMOC has significant influence on global and even regional decadal climate variations ( Buckley and Marshall, 2016; Enfield et al., 2001 ).
How deep is the Chicxulub crater?
The Chicxulub Crater, a large impact crater (180 km wide, 1–30 km deep) on the Yucatán Peninsula, was formed 66 Ma at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary, causing a global mass extinction event for 75% of the planeťs plants and animals.
Where is the GOM located?
The greater GOM-Central America-Caribbean region is resource-rich with large oil deposits encircling the GOM and bordering the southern Caribbean in Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad margins. Starting in 2014, a major oil province was discovered and developed along the Atlantic margin in Guyana and Suriname ( Fig. 1 ).
What is the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf Stream, a warm Atlantic current, originates in the Gulf of Mexico and influences the climate of both the east coast of the United States and the west coast of Europe. It often raises the Gulf of Mexico water temperature, which can also lead to the formation and strengthening of hurricanes.
How wide is the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico covers roughly 615,000 mi² (1.6 million km²) and is about 930 miles (1,500 km) wide. It contains about 2,500 quadrillion liters of saltwater.
What happened on April 20, 2010?
On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon platform caused the largest oil spill in history. Roughly 4.9 million barrels worth of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, causing massive damage to marine, wildlife, and fishing habitats.
Where does the US get its oil from?
The Gulf of Mexico has been a source of oil since 1938, when the first oil well was drilled there. It has grown to become one of the world’s most important offshore petroleum production sites, and about 17% of the US’s oil comes from there.
Who was the first European to explore the Gulf of Mexico?
Although Native Americans living in the region used the Gulf of Mexico for centuries as a source of food and building materials, the first European to explore the Gulf was Italian Amerigo Vespucci in 1497.
Is the Gulf of Mexico warmer than the Atlantic Ocean?
The Gulf of Mexico is shallower, saltier, and warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. Although it has its own name and boundaries, the Gulf of Mexico can be considered part of the Atlantic Ocean as oceans have no hard boundaries. The Gulf’s basin is unusually flat, with a gradient of only about 1 foot per every 8,000 feet.
What are some interesting facts about the Gulf of Mexico?
Over 40 species of sharks live in the Gulf of Mexico. Some of these Gulf of Mexico sharks include bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, and lemon sharks. The Gulf of Mexico is fed by the waters of 33 American rivers, ...
How deep is the Gulf of Mexico?
The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. Now that’s deep!
What are some things you didn't know about the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico, located between the Florida and Yucatan peninsulas, is a great place to vacation, live, and work. Without a doubt the sugar-white sand beaches on the Alabama and Florida gulf coast are among the most beautiful on the planet. But it’s not just another waterway.
How many states are in the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf formed about 300 million years ago, and in all it encompasses 600,000 square miles. Not only does it border five U.S. states – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida– but the Gulf of Mexico also borders Cuba and part of Mexico. 2. It has Incredibly Old Black Coral Reefs.
Where is the Hot Tub of Despair?
An underwater brine pool off the coast of New Orleans, known as the Hot Tub of Despair, was found in the Gulf of Mexico in 2014. The lake gets its foreboding name because of how salty the water is and how most things don’t survive it. It’s four times as salty as the nearby sea water and is warmer as well.
Is black coral the oldest living thing on earth?
The black coral that lives in the Gulf has been found recently to be in the running for one of the oldest living things on earth. (Weird fact: not all black coral is black.)
Who is Shannon Serpette?
Shannon Serpette is an award-winning journalist , having received 10 Illinois Press Association writing awards across a wide variety of categories. An avid metal detectorist, Shannon spends most of her vacations at the beach searching for buried treasure. Follow her daily adventures on Twitter.
What is GulfCorps?
GulfCorps is creating jobs for hundreds of young adults in the Gulf of Mexico region, while restoring the Gulf's ecosystems. A new partnership with Northeastern University will study effectiveness of marshes and other natural solutions like marshes in mitigating damage from Hurricane Michael.
What are the nutrients that are needed for algae blooms?
Heavy rains and melting snows washed massive amounts of nutrients—particularly nitrogen and phosphorus —from lawns, sewage treatment plants, farm land and other sources along the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico. Once in the Gulf, these nutrients, which are required for plant and crop growth, trigger algae blooms ...
What is the function of floodplains?
Floodplains also act as filters that remove excess nutrients from water. The Conservancy has worked with partners in implementing the two largest floodplain reconnection projects in the Mississippi River Valley—one at the Emiquon River in Illinois and one 25-square-mile project on the Ouachita River in Louisiana.
How big is the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone?
The 2020 Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone or "dead zone" measured 2,116 square miles and was the 3rd smallest in the 34-year record of surveys. The 5-year average is now down to 5,408 square miles. The earlier forecast for the dead zone was higher at 6,700 square miles. A major factor for the smaller measured size was due to extensive mixing caused by hurricane Hanna, which passed through the Gulf right ahead of the survey cruise. For more information, see the Lousiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) Exit and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Exit press releases. Map of measured Gulf hypoxia zone, July-August 2020. (LUMCON/NOAA)
What is the hypoxia zone in the Gulf of Mexico?
NOAA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) released their summer hypoxia zone size in the Northern Gulf of Mexico on June 3, 2020. Read the full press release here. Exit Scientists are forecasting this summer’s Gulf of Mexico hypoxic area or “dead zone” – an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and other marine life – to be approximately 6,700 square miles, larger than the long-term average measured size of 5,387 square miles but substantially less than the record of 8,776 square miles set in 2017. The annual prediction is based on U.S. Geological Survey river-flow and nutrient data.
Where is the hypoxic zone?
The hypoxic zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico is an area along the Louisiana-Texas coast, where water near the bottom of the Gulf contains less than two parts per million of dissolved oxygen, causing a condition referred to as hypoxia.
Why was the hypoxic zone not measured in 2016?
Due to mechanical problems with the NOAA ship designated for the measurement cruise , the hypoxic zone was not measured in 2016. Read the full press release for more information Exit .
How big is the dead zone in 2015?
The 2015 “Dead Zone” measured 16,760 square kilometers (6,474 square miles). This size is larger than the predicted range made in June. Researchers suggest that heavy rains in June and high river discharges in July may provide an explanation for the larger zone measurement.
How big is Hurricane Barry?
It is slightly smaller than the 20,277 square kilometers forecasted by NOAA Exit in June 2019 and larger than the Hypoxia Task Force Goal of 5,000 square kilometers. Researchers found that Hurricane Barry’s arrival prior to measuring the zone helped mix the water column, but it only temporarily disrupted the already formed hypoxic zone.
What Fish Can You Catch in the Gulf of Mexico?
The Gulf of Mexico is one of the top fishing destinations. It has hundreds and hundreds of different species of fish so you can fish till you drop! Here are some of the favorites you don’t want to miss on your next fishing pilgrimage.
What Are Some of the Fishing Trips in the Gulf of Mexico?
This Gulf is ecologically diverse, and it has a lot of fun experiences to offer. What else would you rather be doing in this place with your loved ones other than angling? You will most probably experience all those fish you ever read and watched on the TV if you make one of these trips.
Conclusion
Summer is not far off, and you are probably planning for a fulfilling fishing trip. Whether it is a personal or a corporate trip, you wouldn’t want to miss out on what the Gulf of Mexico has to offer.
Where Is The Gulf of Mexico?
The Climate of The Gulf of Mexico
- The climate of the Gulf of Mexico region varies from tropical to subtropical type. The seawater from the Caribbean Sea that enters the Gulf of Mexico via the Yucatán Channel, quickly circulates in a clockwise loop current before exiting the Gulf through the Florida Straits, eventually forming the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is one of the most powerful and warm ocean currents that flo…
Marine Life
- The Gulf of Mexico supports different species of flora and fauna and is widely recognized for its diversity and productivity. 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. The marine flora in the …
Dead Zones in The Gulf of Mexico
- The agricultural activities inland of the Gulf of Mexico coast have led to an increase in nitrogen-rich chemical fertilizers and pesticides and phosphorus-based detergents that are eventually washed away by rains or by rivers into the aquatic ecosystems. These nutrients favor the growth of algae and results in an algal bloom. When these algae die, they lead to deterioration in the wa…
Islands in The Gulf of Mexico
- The Gulf of Mexico contains seven barrier islands located along the Gulf’s northwestern part. These islands are Galveston, Follet’s, Matagorda, St. Joseph’s (San José), Mustang, Padre, and Brazos. The Padre Island is the world’s longest barrier island.It has been estimated that these islands were formed about 5,000 - 8,000 years ago.
Gulf of Mexico Crater
- The Chicxulub Crater is a large impact crater that is buried underneath the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Half of the crater is located on land while the other half is under the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is widely believed, that the impact that led to the creation of this crater had triggered a series of catastrophic events, which ultimately led to the mass extinction at the end of the Creta…
Brief History
- 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. The Gulf was first explored by Amerigo Vespucci in 1497. It was used by the early Europeans as an exploration route to explore the Americas. After the discovery of Cuba and Mexico by the early Europeans, S…
Human Settlements
- The coastal population of the five US states on the Gulf of Mexico is projected to increase from 44.2 million in 1995 to about 61.4 million in 2025. The US states of Texas and Floridaare recognized as the most rapidly growing states. Houston, New Orleans, Cancun, Tampa, Key West, Havana, San Francisco de Campeche, Mobile, Gulfport, Tampico, Veracruz, Ciudad del Carmen, …
Economy
- The Gulf of Mexico is an important economic region for all the three countries (Cuba, Mexico, and United States) that border it. The Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil and hence several offshore oil drilling rigs have been drilled for exploration and mining in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. It is the center of the United States’ oil refining and petrochemical industry and henc…