Ross Sea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ross Sea |
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Sea ice in the Ross Sea
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Seas of Antarctica, with the Ross Sea in the bottom-left
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| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 75°S 175°W / 75°S 175°W |
| Type | Sea |
| Etymology | James Ross |
| Primary outflows | Southern Ocean |
The Ross Sea is a large, deep bay in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. It sits between two areas of land called Victoria Land and Marie Byrd Land.
Contents
Discovering the Ross Sea
The Ross Sea was first explored by James Ross in 1841. He was a British explorer who sailed into this icy area.
Islands and Ice in the Ross Sea
In the western part of the Ross Sea, you'll find Ross Island. On the eastern side, there's Roosevelt Island. The southern part of the sea is covered by a huge sheet of ice called the Ross Ice Shelf.
Near the western side, there's a place called McMurdo Sound. This area often becomes free of ice in the summer, making it a useful "port" for ships. The very southernmost part of the Ross Sea is known as Gould Coast. It's only about 320 kilometers (200 miles) from the Geographic South Pole!
Who Claims the Land?
All the land areas around the Ross Sea are claimed by New Zealand. This means New Zealand believes these lands are part of its territory.
A Giant Squid Story
On February 22, 2007, something amazing happened in the Ross Sea! Fishermen caught a huge colossal squid. It was about 10 meters (32.8 feet) long and weighed 495 kilograms (1,091 pounds). That's like catching a small car!
Why the Ross Sea is Special
The Ross Sea is very important for nature and is mostly untouched by people. This makes it a special place for many animals.
Amazing Animals of the Ross Sea
The plants and animals living in the Ross Sea are similar to those found in other parts of the southern Antarctic ocean.
- Tiny Ocean Life: In summer, the sea is full of tiny living things called plankton. These tiny plants and animals are the main food source for many larger creatures.
- Bigger Creatures: Fish, seals, whales, and many types of sea-birds and shore-birds eat the plankton.
- Penguin Homes: The coastal areas of the Ross Sea are home to many Adélie and Emperor penguin colonies. You can see them both near the coast and swimming in the open sea.
Protecting This Special Place
The Ross Sea is one of the last places on Earth that is still mostly wild. It has very little pollution, and there hasn't been too much overfishing. Also, new types of plants or animals (called invasive species) haven't been brought in by humans.
Because it's so untouched, many people want to make the Ross Sea a special protected area. This would help keep it safe for all the amazing wildlife that lives there.
See also
In Spanish: Mar de Ross para niños
