At least 33 species of whales are found in the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, yes. depth (ft) Nearby waterbodies (689) A new high-resolution map of the floor of the Gulf of Mexico was released to the public. The Gulf of Mexico is an important economic region for all the three countries (Cuba, Mexico, and United States) that border it. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? With so much marine life dependent upon the delicate ecosystem the future of the Gulf of Mexico depends on the proper management of resources and conservation of marine life. Some of the notable species include Blacktip shark, Bonnethead shark, Bull shark, Great hammerhead shark, Lemon shark, Nurse shark, and Sand Tiger Shark. It later emerged through documents released by Wikileaks that a similar incident had occurred on a BP-owned rig in the Caspian Sea in September 2008. Check out our guide on the 13 colonies for everything you need to know about the colonies and how the US came to be. These four industries produce nearly $234 billion annually. In addition to this, the Gulf of Mexico provides critical habitats, feeding, and nursery grounds for the five species of endangered sea turtles that reside in its waters. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico by shore is roughly 5,200 feet. Kramer and Shedd report that after the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill, marine biologists wanted a detailed map of the Gulf to help locate ecological communities that might have been impacted. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? In the United States the population of the coastal regions surrounding the Gulf of Mexico is estimated to number more than 60 million people by 2025, as states such as Texas (the second most populous state) and Florida (the third most populous state) are growing quickly. "Sigsbee Deep" applied to the entire deep basin appears on some of the earliest charts of the Gulf of Mexico. However, around 300 million years ago, in the late Triassic period, plate tectonics caused rifting within Pangea, and a rich oceanic basin created what is now the worlds largest gulf. Endangered sea turtles also use the coast as their nursery and require the Sargassum, seaweed that floats on the surface of the water, to feed, along with fish, seahorses, and other marine life. Gulf of Mexico water temperature: The surface water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico, as recorded in February, varies from 18C in the northern part of the Gulf to about 24C off the Yucatn coast. The comparison is based on hull dimensions, including heave plate and structural support construction. 2. This cross section has been derived from recently collected deep-penetration seismic reflection profiles collected by industry. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. Besides the economic importance of the Gulf of Mexico, there are countless natural treasures to be found. There are nearly 2,000 different species! This is the text I received from Captain Steve Papen after yet another cancelled trip due to unfavorable conditions. Its considered one of the worst natural disasters in history, and efforts to reverse some of the damage that was caused are still ongoing. They found the Gulf is home to 2,000 year-old deep-sea black corals, many of which are only a few feet tall. How Far Until You Reach the Seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico? It is enclosed largely by North America. Scientists warn that the "dead zone" wreaking havoc on marine life in the Gulf of Mexico will cover almost 9,000 square miles this summer. In the paper, Mishonov and his co-authors analyzed the first measurements of bottom nepheloid layers in the central and southern deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico west of the Yucatan peninsula made from Mexican and NOAA research vessels in 2015-2017. It was used by the early Europeans as an exploration route to explore the Americas. Her family is still awaiting justice. The addition of an ancillary collection system comprising several devices, also tapped into the BOP, increased the collection rate to approximately 25,000 barrels of oil a day. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is 5,299 feet (1,615 meters) and the maximum depth is estimated to be 14,383 feet (4,384 meters). The marine chart shows depth and hydrology of Gulf Of Mexico on the map, which is located in the Veracruz, Texas, Florida state (La Perla, Fayette, Clay). Researchers recently announced that this year the excess fertilizer from farm fields carried to the Gulf of Mexico helped in the development of a low-oxygen, "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico that covered an area of 6,952 square miles - the 8th largest ever measured! ", Robertson, Campbell and Leslie Kaufman. Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Birds were particularly vulnerable to the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A study has dated the coral to be at least 2,000 years old. The accident resulted in the deaths of 11 workers and caused a massive, ongoing oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico contains seven barrier islands located along the Gulfs northwestern part. Later, as the basin became a gulf, the salt was covered with sediment deposited by rivers. The Deepwater Horizon rig, owned and operated by offshore-oil-drilling company Transocean and leased by oil company BP, was situated in the Macondo oil prospect in the Mississippi Canyon, a valley in the continental shelf. Final Reports FINAL REPORT: Congressional Letters - Offshore Whistleblower Protection Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It Holds as Much Power as Beauty The Gulf of Mexico is a rich reservoir of natural gas and oil. Transcendentalism was a key movement in 19th-century America, but many people still aren't sure what it was all about. The Gulf of Mexico is roughly oval-shaped with a long dimension of about 950 mi (1,500 km). The Gulf of Mexico is a 'sea' and is part of the Atlantic Ocean. These slow-growing, long-living animals thrive in very deep waters300 meters (984 feet) and . About 4 of the United States largest fishing ports are located in the Gulf of Mexico region. Yes! The Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest is a fantastic opportunity to witness these birds in action. . How deep is the Gulf of Mexico? They start at the state waterline (nine nautical miles out) and go all the way to the edge of the continental shelf, 100 miles offshore. For-Hire Fishing Permits in the Gulf of Mexico All Recreational Anglers need a saltwater recreational fishing license or registration from a state or U.S. territory except Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was a research editor with Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. from 2008 to 2016 and worked on Britannica Blog from 2010 Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. A gulf is an inlet of the ocean into the land. While most of the Gulf of Mexico is fairly shallow, its deepest point is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated maximum depth of 14,383 feet! Oceans, the largest bodies of water in the world, have no exact boundaries, and they are bordered by seas (the Caribbean Sea separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean). (Weird fact: not all black coral is black.). The North-West Gulf of Mexico. 7. The small juvenile turtles also depend on the sargassum habitats in the open ocean for their survival. To the north of the Gulf of Mexico are the US states of Alabama, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The Gulf formed about 300 million years ago, and in all it encompasses 600,000 square miles. As per different reports, about 11 people had lost their lives and about 5,000 barrels of oil/day had leaked into the Gulf of Mexico from the 5,486m deep well on the platform. Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 2. It comprises a volume of around 2,500 quadrillions (a real number!) The Gulf of Mexico encompasses around 617,800 square miles of water and stretches around 932 miles across from east to west. Fishing is also an important industry and the economies of many states that lie along the Gulf of Mexico are driven by the fishing industry. Northern Gulf of Mexico deepwater bathymetry grid created from 3D seismic surveys. In addition to being home to so many incredible beaches, it is also a very unique region of the world. The Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf in the world, with 600,000 sq miles bordered by 1,680 miles of US coastlines. Eleven of the 126 workers on the rig were killed and, over the following 87 days, an estimated 3.19 million barrels (~134 million gallons) of oil spilled into the Gulf . All major bodies of saltwater, including the oceans, are ocean basins. There is much speculation as to what caused the explosions. Over the centuries, people continued to use the Gulf of Mexico as a source of food and resources, as well as for navigation. With that success, they realized they could map the whole Gulf of Mexico the same way. Located in between the U.S. coast and Yucatan Peninsula, this deep rests on an area of salt beds created millions of years ago. Some dolphins are also found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The groundbreaking promise of cellular housekeeping. GMZ001-280215- Synopsis for the Gulf of Mexico 901 AM EST Mon Feb 27 2023 .SYNOPSIS.A ridge will continue to dominate the Gulf waters through Wed night. The basin is located in the southwestern quadrant of the Gulf, with its closest point to the U.S. coast at 200 miles (320km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas. On April 20, 2010, BP's mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon exploded, burned, and subsequently sank in the Gulf of Mexico 52 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. Scientists just confirmed a 30-foot void first detected inside the monument years ago. A large oil spill occurred on April 22, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico, when the Deepwater Horizon an oil drilling platform, suffered an explosion and sank into the Gulf. These plants provide a safe habitat for numerous fishes, planktons, bivalves, shrimps, manatees, and other marine animals. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. It is surrounded by the Mexican states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa and Nayarit. The effect of the microscopic oil droplets on the ecosystem was unknown, though their presence, along with that of a layer of oil several inches thick discovered on portions of the seafloor in September, cast doubt on earlier predictions about the speed with which the discharged oil would dissipate. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in pictures, The Perils of Industry: 10 Notable Accidents and Catastrophes, https://www.britannica.com/event/Deepwater-Horizon-oil-spill, National Ocean Service - Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Deepwater Horizon oil spill: debris and oil, Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010: path of the oil, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. One escarpment has a towering drop of 1,220 meters and extends for 560 kilometers, or 348 miles. Copyright 2023 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. The Gulf is about 1, 000 miles wide, as much as 14, 000 feet deep, and receives runoff from vast areas of the continent. With the consent of the seven companies, the BOEM released the map to the public. The gulf's peculiar history gave rise to a landscape riddled with domes,. So, while the average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is not incredibly deep, there are some areas that are quite deep. (A 2014 report by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board claimed that the blind shear rams had activated sooner than previously thought and may have actually punctured the pipe.). The Gulf of Mexico was the site of a largeoil spillthat occurred on April 22, 2010, when an oil drilling platform, the Deepwater Horizon, suffered an explosion and sank into the Gulf about 50 miles (80 km) from Louisiana. In response to their call for help, the BOEM devised a way to make a high-resolution map by combining the data from several 3-D seismic surveys that exploration companies had done in the area. Due to the warm water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, hurricanes regularly form there. Several copepods of the family Zosimeidae were found in deep-sea sediment samples from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California (Mexico). These nutrients favor the growth of algae and results in an algal bloom. Cuba, crossed some of the deepest parts of the Gulf of Mexico over 100 miles offshore, which therefore increases the . Only a vague outline of this bizarre landscape was visible on the old map, which had a resolution of 27,000 square feet per pixel, actually quite good for the seafloor. Red tide algae blooms in the Gulf have led to large die-offs of marine species, and the Gulf of Mexico is reported to contain one of the highest levels of microplastics in the world. Marc Pagani Photography/Shutterstock.com. 03 Shaded Relief Images. The fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico are considered to be one of the most productive in the world and the many Gulf Coast States have their economies centered on fishing in the gulf area. The defective BOP and the capping stack were removed in early September and replaced by a functioning BOP. The economics of the area as well as the environment thus are sensitive to pollution. Heres why each season begins twice. Construction of two such wells had begun in May. The rig was located approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, and had a 126-member crew onboard. This year, the Mississippi River flooded for more than 6 months, unprecedented in both length of time and volume of water. This is twice the size of Texas. Tourism accounts for $100 billion annually and in 2008 the fishing harvest from five Gulf states totaled $661 million. Fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico make up about of the total catch in the US. This in turn stimulates plankton growth and attracts numerous shrimps, small fishes, and squids. The US states of Texas and Florida are recognized as the most rapidly growing states. The Gulf of Mexico is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is considered an ocean basin and marginal sea. The climate of the Gulf of Mexico region varies from tropical to subtropical type. Supported by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA) Ocean Exploration and Research, the research team recently completed an expedition into the Green Banana Blue Hole . It is one of the largest bodies of water in the world and it is a part of the Atlantic Ocean. In this guide, we explain exactly where the Gulf of Mexico is and what its boundaries are, and we include a Gulf of Mexico map so you can see a visual of it. Its called the Gulf of Mexico. Because salt also flows easily, it can deform and get squeezed, which results in blobs of salt pushing up into the layers above, making domes and ridges and faults. Over the next 150 million years the gulf continued to deepen and enlarge with the movements of the earth. Click to place marker 2. About 60% of the Gulf is less than 700 feet deep. The Mexican material represents new species of the genera Zosime Boeck, 1873, Peresime . The basin has an area of 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km) and most of it consists of shallow intertidal areas but there are some very deep portions. 5. The basin is roughly circular in shape and approximately 810 nautical miles (1,500 km) wide. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. The Florida Panhandle becomes a magical realm when you put on scuba gear, dive in the ocean, and breathe underwater. They are often connected to the ocean by narrow water passages but that is not always observed in all geographical areas. visits the Gulf of Mexico. In the United States, the Gulf of Mexico has four of the country's largest fishing ports, while in Mexico the region has eight of the top 20 largest. Houston, New Orleans, Cancun, Tampa, Key West, Havana, San Francisco de Campeche, Mobile, Gulfport, Tampico, Veracruz, Ciudad del Carmen, Coatzacoalcos, Corpus Christi are some of the major urban settlements along the Gulf. Over 750 historical shipwrecks have occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, some of which date back to the 16th century. Its over 600,000 square miles and from east to west it covers 932 miles. Though fitted loosely over the BOP and allowing some oil to escape, the cap enabled BP to siphon approximately 15,000 barrels of oil per day to a tanker. The rig capsized and sank on the morning of April 22, rupturing the riser, through which drilling mud had been injected in order to counteract the upward pressure of oil and natural gas. https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544 (accessed March 4, 2023). Because salt doesnt compact under the weight of overlying layers like sediment does, it ends up being less dense than the sediment above it. The Interior Department's five-year offshore leasing plan is required by law. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the worst oil spill in history, leaving almost 5 million barrels of oil in the Gulf. An important feature of the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf Stream, which is a warm Atlantic current that begins in the region and flows north into the Atlantic Ocean. Coral reefs provide a thriving ecosystem that supports significant biodiversity in the Gulf. "Geography of the Gulf of Mexico." The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. It has grown to become one of the worlds most important offshore petroleum production sites, and about 17% of the USs oil comes from there. ABOARD THE WESTERN NEPTUNE, Gulf of Mexico Every 17 seconds, a small armada of ships trawling 130 miles from the Louisiana coast fire powerful air guns toward the bottom of the sea in a. Red snapper are generally found in waters from 30 to 620 feet deep and are one of the most heavily . Its no secret that the Gulf of Mexico is a great vacation spot! Left, scientists launch a seafloor sampling device off a research vessel into the Gulf of Mexico. Floridas coral reefs attract visitors from around the world and generate more than $17 billion in tourism annually. . But its not just another waterway. Human activities in and around the Gulf of Mexico such as agricultural practices, oil spills, and shipwrecks are harming the ecosystem. How did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affect birds? Only about 800,000 barrels had been captured. On the night of April 20 a surge of natural gas blasted through a concrete core recently installed by contractor Halliburton in order to seal the well for later use. The Jacuzzi of Despair as its called, is a combination of methane gas and hydrogen sulfide that kills all creatures who enter it. The Gulf Stream is one of the most powerful and warm ocean currents that flow from the Gulf of Mexico towards the northern Atlantic Ocean. Ask below and we'll reply! A National Geographic team has made the first ascent of the remote Mount Michael, looking for a lava lake in the volcanos crater. Black coral that grows in the Gulf of Mexico is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. Where Is the Gulf of Mexico? NOAA. Thus, in 1559, Tristn de Luna y Arellano landed at Pensacola Bay and established a settlement. Forensic analysis of the BOP completed the following year determined that a set of massive blades known as blind shear ramsdesigned to slice through the pipe carrying oilhad malfunctioned because the pipe had bent under the pressure of the rising gas and oil. 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. Were here to help! These complex ecosystems include corals, fish, anemones, sponges, and sea cucumbers-but limited knowledge about these habitats creates challenges for their restoration. Because this continental shelf is easily accessible, the Gulf of Mexico is exploited for oil with offshore oil drilling rigs centered in the Bay of Campeche and the western Gulf region. Not according to biology or history. Its shallow, saltier, and serene waters surrounded by velvety quartz sand may seem like another world when compared to the Atlantic's cool and thrilling waves and golden-brown sand. In addition to the oil, nearly 2 million gallons of toxic dispersants were sprayed into the Gulf's waters. The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, Sigsbee Deep, is estimated to be around 14,383 feet deep while the average depth is around 5,300 feet. They said this would protect shipping, and in the event of an emergency, rescue would be nearby. Your personal data will be governed by Mapsofworld, When Did Alaska Become Part of the United States. Further exploration of the Gulf of Mexico continued throughout the 1500s, and after numerous shipwrecks in the region, settlers and explorers decided to establish a settlement along the northern Gulf Coast. Heres the technology that helped scientists find itand what it may have been used for. By fintasticinc March 22, 2016 Capt's. Corner. It is enclosed largely by North America. Geography of the Gulf of Mexico. A Deep Dive into the United States First Underwater Museum, This article appears in the inaugural issue of 30AsBeach HappyMagazine. These hurricanes are either formed or make their way into the Gulf and eventually make landfall in the areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Hurricane Season of Gulf of Mexico: The hurricane season officially begins at the beginning of June and ends in late November. The exploration companies use 3-D seismic imaging to map areas of the Gulf they are interested in. Roughly 4.9 million barrels worth of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, causing massive damage to marine, wildlife, and fishing habitats. Claims by several research groups that subsurface plumes of dispersed hydrocarbons had been detected in May were initially dismissed by BP and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At its deepest point the bottom is 2.7 miles underwater, but most of the Gulf is much shallower. NGDC Coastal Relief Model Vol. Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach? On September 17 the bottom kill maneuver was successfully executed through the first relief well. Two days later, following a series of pressure tests, it was announced that the well was completely sealed. What Went Wrong? Thats great news when it comes to reaching those shipwrecks. Now thats deep! The Gulf of Mexico is believed to contain over 660 quadrillion gallons of water. The Sigsbee Deep, for example, is estimated to be between 12,300 and 14,383 feet deep. The 'extreme cruelty' around the global trade in frog legs, What does cancer smell like? The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin ( Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. Off the sands in Florida lies a 360-mile stretch of coral Reefs which developed 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Only about 25 percent of the oil was recovered, leaving more than 154 million gallons of oil at sea. Updates? Fishermen found Heather Strickland's body in a trash bag miles off the coast of Pinellas County, Florida, in December 2022. Located close to the Continental Shelf, you'll find waters as deep as 600 feet just 10-12 miles from shore. The Gulf of Mexico is connected to the Caribbean Sea via the Yucatn Channel (between Cuba and Mexico); and with the Atlantic Ocean through the Straits of Florida (between Cuba and US). It is rumored that they buried some of their stolen loot on the bay. The black coral is a notoriously slow grower, growing 2,000 times slower than human fingernails. Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. Please select which sections you would like to print: Richard Pallardy received a B.A. Though similar to the failed top kill, mud could be injected at much lower pressures during the static kill because of the stabilizing influence of the capping stack. Brown pelicans and laughing gulls were among the species most affected. Still interested in learning more about the Gulf of Mexico? It is largely surrounded by the continent of North America. Climate change that's warming waters further is also making them larger, as in increased intensity and amount of water. You can spot them and learn more about their life on the Alabama Gulf Coast on a dolphin cruise. Do You Know the Different Regions of the US? Florida and Eastern Gulf of Mexico Grids. Here are 11 facts about the Gulf. SANTA CRUZ, Calif. For the first time, scientists have been able to validate the age of deep-sea black corals in the Gulf of Mexico. Read our guide on transcendentalism for everything you need to know about key transcendentalist beliefs, an overview of the movement's history, and key players. The paper presents and discusses two semisubmersible designs that assume a common topsides and riser payload. One of the most devastating was Hurricane Katrina, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 and caused over 1,200 deaths and $125 billion in damage, mostly concentrated in New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding areas. The largest of these rivers is the Mississippi River. We have not only provided the answer to the question here but have also explored more interesting facts about the Gulf. 6. Often referred to as the Mediterranean of the Americas, the Gulf of Mexico is the 9th largest water body, measuring approximately 1,600 km from west to east and about 900 km from north to south. The Gulf's geologic origin remains uncertain. With millions of gallons of oil spilled in the sea, the response effort was large and has lasted for over a decade. An ocean basin, it is bounded on the northeast, . The first oil well was drilled in the Gulf in 1938. Once released by the fracture of the core, the natural gas traveled up the Deepwater rigs riser to the platform, where it ignited, killing 11 workers and injuring 17. The Gulf of Mexico has been a source of oil since 1938, when the first oil well was drilled there. The Brydes whale has recently been declared as an endemic species. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is approximately 1,600 meters, or 5,200 feet. Check out these interesting facts to learn more about the Gulf of Mexico. A study showed that up to 800,000 birds were thought to have died. In 2011, the oil taken from the gulf made up 54 percent of U.S. oil. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. Recreation and tourism are also a significant part of the economy of the lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Both oceans and gulfs are large bodies of saltwater, but gulfs are smaller and are bordered on three sides by land. The Flower Garden Banks are brightly colored coral reefs that are located about 185km to the southeast of Galveston, in the northwestern part of the Gulf of Mexico. One hundred miles southeast of Galveston's muddy shoreline, the Gulf of Mexico becomes a dazzling, vibrant blue. They are known to be one of the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom. The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. They took all the best survey data from more than 200 individual maps made by exploration companies of parts of the Gulf and combined them into a map of the whole region with resolution of around 1,600 square feet per pixel about the size of the average American family home. There have been over 750 known shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico. Deepwater Horizon oil spill, also called Gulf of Mexico oil spill, largest marine oil spill in history, caused by an April 20, 2010, explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil riglocated in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 41 miles (66 km) off the coast of Louisianaand its subsequent sinking on April 22. To learn more about the Gulf of Mexico, visit theGulf of Mexico Programfrom the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The narrow subtropical sea is 1,130km (700 miles) long and 80-209km (50-130 miles) wide. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. There are 4,000 drilling platforms there. The Gulf of Mexico is fed by the waters of 33 American rivers, the largest of which is the Mississippi River. . Shrimp and oysters are among the largest fish products that come from the Gulf. 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). 30A is the #1 Guide to Floridas Scenic Highway 30-A. Through the process of upwelling, which occurs near the Florida coast of the Gulf, the cooler nutrient-rich water from the deeper parts of the Gulf is brought to the surface.
how deep is the gulf of mexico in miles
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