A Map of the Southern Ocean

Southern Ocean Facts

  • Ocean Name: Southern Ocean
  • Location: Surrounds Antarctica
  • Average Depth: 10,872 feet
  • Total Surface Area: 8.4 million mi2
  • Total Coastline: 11,164 miles
  • Total Volume of Water: 17.2 million mi3

20 Southern Ocean Facts for Kids

  1. The Southern Ocean is one of the world’s five oceans.
  2. The Southern Ocean surrounds the Antarctica.
  3. The total volume of the Southern Ocean is 17.2 million mi3 of water.
  4. The Southern Ocean contains 5.4% of all the world’s ocean water.
  5. The Southern Ocean is the second smallest of all five oceans.
  6. The total surface area of the Southern Ocean is 8.4 million mi2.
  7. The average depth of the Southern Ocean is 10,872 feet.
  8. The deepest part of the Southern Ocean is 24,390 feet in the Factorian Deep (proposed name).
  9. The Southern Ocean is the second deepest ocean in the world.
  10. The total coastline of the Southern Ocean is 11,164 miles.
  11. The Southern Ocean has least amount of coastline of all the five major oceans.
  12. The Southern Ocean is the only ocean that stretches around the entire planet.
  13. Ice sheets and icebergs cover the Southern Ocean during the winter months.
  14. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean contain around 90% of the ice found on Earth.
  15. The temperature of the seawater in the Southern Ocean fluctuates between 28 and 50 °F.
  16. The Southern Ocean has some of the strongest winds on Earth.
  17. It’s estimated the Southern Ocean could contain massive deposits of oil and gas.
  18. The Southern Ocean is home to many different marine mammals, like orcas and blue whales.
  19. The Southern Ocean is home to several marine birds, like penguins and gulls.
  20. The Southern Ocean is home only to a few marine fish, like the cod icefish and snailfish.

More Ocean Facts

Additional Resources on the Southern Ocean