The Pond and The Abyss: Tales of the Atlantic Ocean

-

 '

Below this unassuming surface is a trove of untold mysteries and rich history


If the Arctic Ocean oozes magic and enchantment, then the Atlantic epitomizes mystery, its power not necessarily crowning its kingdom but hiding underneath the surface. There are no glass shards glittering on the Atlantic. Only quiet blue-gray and teardrop white mingle together to fabricate a crushed charmeuse of shifting shadows and waves that lies upon an arcane world. 

The Atlantic doesn't seem to stand out; it's not the largest or coldest ocean. And there doesn't seem to be anything out there; at least, not at the surface. Whereas the Arctic and Pacific are dotted with icebergs, fjords, islands, or volcanoes, the Atlantic is home to a stretch of blue that connects the Western and Eastern Hemispheres together. 

As the second-largest ocean in the world, the Atlantic Ocean covers 25% of the Earth's surface. But what's the story under the Atlantic's own innocent surface? This ocean is actually the youngest of the big four, forming as a result of the void left behind by broken Pangaea. As the Western and Eastern Hemisphere tectonic plates pushed apart from each other (divergence!), a void was created, which became the Atlantic basin. This would gradually fill up and became an ocean spanning an area of over 106 million sq km. 

There's been incredibly eventful timeline of the Atlantic since this inception, which includes historic events such as Columbus's journey across the ocean blue and the Titanic's failure to make its own. The Atlantic is home to the Triangular Trade, Bermuda Triangle, and trio of ships (The Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria) that discovered the Americas. It's the element that separates two halves of the world but is also somehow what connects them. 

Affectionately nicknamed "The Pond" by Great Britain and later America, the Atlantic Ocean facilitated the formation of America and evolution of Europe. Long used even before the 19th century, the nickname, the Pond, connotes some kind of easy and peaceful waterway. In comparison to the Pacific, perhaps this is true. But talk to those who were in the Great Migration or Slave Trade, and this couldn't be further from the truth. Like a pond, the Atlantic seems innocent. But maybe like a duck desperately paddling its feet, the surface doesn't reveal the turmoil beneath,

rooted

and rotted 

into the bedrock, 

waiting 

to be (or not to be?)

discovered

like a story

lost in a sea of words. 

In the next series of posts, we'll uncover this sea. 


https://www.climatecentral.org/news/atlantic-ocean-changes-may-have-been-natural-20367

https://thefactfile.org/atlantic-ocean-facts/


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fast Facts: Maori Wrasse

-
Image
Known by many names, including the Humphead Wrasse and Napolean Wrasse, this fish is known as a king of the coral reefs.    The Maori Wrasse :   Cheilinus undulatus Description : Reaching up to 2 meters in length and 180 kg in weight, t he Maori Wrasse is the largest species in the Wrasse family. They are easily distinguishable by the hump on their foreheads, which become more prominent with age, as well as their puffy lips. Based on the age and gender of a Maori Wrasse, its color patterns vary from red and orange to yellow and green and blues.  Habitat :  Found in the Indo-Pacific's tropical waters, the Maori Wrasse tends to cling to the temperate-coastal habitats of Australia. Maori Wrasse can inhabit all types of reefs, from rocky reefs by the shore to off-shore reefs reaching depths of 60 meters.  Diet : Maori Wrasse are carnivorous creatures that feed primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, and other benthic creatures. They may even eat smaller fish! Maori Wrasse are significant t
Read more

Fast Facts: Yellow Tang

-
Image
This fish is one of the most recognizable species in both the Great Barrier Reef and Gen Z's childhoods.    The Yellow Tang:   Zebrasoma flavescens Description : The Yellow Tang's bright full-body yellow coloration is what makes distinguishes it from other Tangs. They can grow up to around 8 inches in the wild and have a white barb used for defense and attack on each side of the base of their caudal fin; these barbs are considered to be modified scales of the Tang.  Habitat : A Yellow Tang lives in saltwater reefs all over the world, however, they are most commonly found near Hawaii; about 70% of the Yellow Tang population lives in these waters. This species is native to the Pacific Ocean but may also be found in the Atlantic Ocean.  Diet : As herbivores, Yellow Tangs feed exclusively on plants. Algae is their preferred food source, and Yellow Tangs may even eat the algae off of turtles as part of a symbiotic relationship.  Behavior : Although they do tolerate other individuals
Read more

Fast Facts: Giant Clam

-
Image
   Not something you'd find at your local buffet.  The Giant Clam:   Tridacna gigas Description : As the largest mollusks in the world, Giant Clams can reach a size of four feet long and weight of 500 pounds. A Giant Clam's main feature, its shell, is made up of two halves that can open and close through use of a hinge. Although their shells range in various sizes, colors, and patterns, all Giant Clams have a fleshy interior mantel that can weigh up to a quarter of the clam's weight! Habitat : These mollusks are primarily found in waters of down to 20 meters in depth in the Indo-Pacific region and other tropical and subtropical areas. Because of their shallow environment, Giant Clams thrive in coral reefs where they embed themselves into the sand. In particular, they thrive in habitats with high calcium carbonate levels that strengthen their shells.  Diet : Through the filter feeding process, Giant Clams gain energy from their main diet of phytoplankton. However, Giant Clam
Read more