The Arctic Ocean is one of the four major oceans of the planet. The Arctic Ocean is an important part of the Earth's ecosystem with its unique natural features.
The Arctic Ocean is the shallowest of the world's oceans and spans roughly 6.6 square miles. It is located on the northern side of the Earth and is surrounded by several continents and islands.
The Arctic Ocean covers the northernmost parts of the Earth, including portions of the United States, Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Russia.
The Arctic Ocean holds the world's second-largest expanse of sea ice after Antarctica. During the winter, the sea ice coverage expands to about 8.5 square miles, making it the most extensive sea ice in the world.
The climate in the Arctic Ocean is characterized by freezing winters and short summers. During the winter, temperatures can reach as low as -68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wildlife in the Arctic Ocean includes a wide variety of marine mammals, fish, and many species of birds.
Unlike much of the world's water, the Arctic Ocean is ice-free, mainly in the summertime.
Although the Arctic Ocean is sometimes referred to as the "Arctic Sea," it is a deep, open ocean basin home to a wide variety of marine life.
The Arctic Ocean is one of the world's most saline bodies of water, with an average salinity of around 34 parts per thousand.
The surface waters of the lower Arctic Ocean can be up to 8 degrees Celsius in the summer. In comparison, the deep-water temperatures can remain near or below -2 degrees Celsius year-round.
Sea levels in the Arctic Ocean are rising faster than anywhere else due to climate change.
