Nantucket Sound facts for kids
Nantucket Sound is a part of the Atlantic Ocean near the coast of Massachusetts, a state in the United States. It looks like a triangle. This body of water is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) long and 25 miles (40 kilometers) wide.
Nantucket Sound is surrounded by land. Cape Cod is to its north. The island of Nantucket is to its south. To the west, you will find the island of Martha's Vineyard. Between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket Sound connects to another body of water called Vineyard Sound. Important towns with ports on Nantucket Sound include Nantucket and Hyannis, Massachusetts.
A Special Home for Wildlife
Nantucket Sound is a very important home for many different kinds of marine animals and plants. It has a rich variety of species. Many of these species are important for the environment. They are also important for the economy.
The Sound is especially significant for several types of wildlife that are protected by the government. It also supports many fishing businesses. People also enjoy recreational fishing here.
Where Warm and Cold Waters Meet
Nantucket Sound is unique because it is where two big ocean currents meet. The cold Labrador Current from the north mixes with the warm Gulf Stream from the south.
This mixing creates a very special coastal environment. It is a place where species from colder northern waters reach their southernmost limit. It is also where species from warmer southern waters (like those from the Mid-Atlantic) reach their northernmost limit.
Because of this, Nantucket Sound has a lot of different kinds of life. Its habitats range from the open sea to salt marshes. You can also find warm-water beaches along the coasts of Cape Cod and the islands.
