how deep is the gulf of mexico in miles
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Scientists documented the pair on NOAA's 2018 Okeanos Expedition during a research cruise to the West Florida Escarpment and DeSoto Canyon areas. 7. There is much speculation as to what caused the explosions. This surpassed the 3.3 million barrels that spilled into the Bay of Campeche by the Mexican rig Ixtoc I in 1979. Hurricane Season of Gulf of Mexico: The hurricane season officially begins at the beginning of June and ends in late November. 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. To the north of the Gulf of Mexico are the US states of Alabama, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. It borders the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as well as the island of Cuba and parts of Mexico. Right, In addition to impacts to the diversity of marine life living on the seafloor, researchers found a conservative chemical tracer of petroleum in surface seafloor sediments extending 15 miles from the Macondo wellhead (Valentine et al. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico is approximately 1,600 meters, or 5,200 feet. Recreational fishing is popular, as are water sports and tourism along the coastal regions. On September 17 the bottom kill maneuver was successfully executed through the first relief well. The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin ( Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. The Gulf of Mexico is a rich reservoir of natural gas and oil. Where is the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico? Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Long COVID patients turn to unproven treatments, Why evenings can be harder on people with dementia, This disease often goes under-diagnosedunless youre white, This sacred site could be Georgias first national park, See glow-in-the-dark mushrooms in Brazils other rainforest, 9 things to know about Holi, Indias most colorful festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach. The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. NGDC Coastal Relief Model Vol. 6. The Gulf of Mexico basin appears to have formed ~200 million years ago as the result of rifting within North . Several copepods of the family Zosimeidae were found in deep-sea sediment samples from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California (Mexico). Plenty of marine life lives on its borders but its a rare occurring killer lake for sure. Your personal data will be governed by Mapsofworld, When Did Alaska Become Part of the United States. Various waterfowl, shorebirds, coral reef, and endangered sea turtles establish their habitats in the Gulf of Mexico which is crucial to their survival. About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. The cited reference discusses differences in United States and IHO committee views and variations between names recommended by the Advisory Committee on Undersea Features (ACUF) of the U. S. BGN and the GEBCO committee. To complete your Gulf of Mexico knowledge, we also go over all the key information you should know about its physical geography and history. The area of the Gulf of Mexico is about 615,000 square mi (1.6 million square km). The black coral is a notoriously slow grower, growing 2,000 times slower than human fingernails. Black coral that grows in the Gulf of Mexico is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. 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. It is the center of the United States oil refining and petrochemical industry and hence more than 18% of the US oil production is derived from the offshore wells in the Gulf of Mexico. The North-West Gulf of Mexico. The small juvenile turtles also depend on the sargassum habitats in the open ocean for their survival. Interested in early American history? (April 28, 2010). Please be respectful of copyright. When does spring start? Different species of jellyfish are also commonly found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. However, the hurricanes which do reach land can cause catastrophic devastation. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Shrimp and oysters are among the largest fish products that come from the Gulf. While the Gulf of Mexico was once the source of colonization and discovery for early explorers, today its known for its four major industries oil and gas, shipping, fishing, and tourism. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score. It is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is bounded by Mexico to the southwest, Cuba to the southeast, and the Gulf Coast of the United States on the north, which includes the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas (map). One escarpment has a towering drop of 1,220 meters and extends for 560 kilometers, or 348 miles. These banks provide critical habitats for many marine animals including commercially valuable fishes, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. 2014). Most of the basin consists of shallow intertidal areas, but its deepest point is called Sigsbee Deep and has an estimated depth of about 14,383 feet (4,384 m). Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 2. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina swept over the Gulf of Mexico and storm surges caused 53 levees to be breached which flooded 80% of New Orleans. The US States that border the Gulf of Mexico are famous for their beautiful beaches. Now that youre familiar with the Gulf of Mexico, its time to start planning a beach trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! The roughly 5,000-year-old human remains were found in graves from the Yamnaya culture, and the discovery may partially explain their rapid expansion throughout Europe. There are 4,000 drilling platforms there. 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. Deep below the surface, salt domes protrude from the seafloor and some of the . Watch These Elk Ramming Cars at Yellowstone,, Rare Footage Shows How Killer Whale Packs, Watch a Lioness Save Her Zookeeper When the Male Lion Attacks Him Point-Blank, Watch These Elk Ramming Cars at Yellowstone, and Showing Their True Size, A Clash of Two Lion Prides Ends When This Monster Shows Up, Watch a Gargantuan Komodo Dragon Effortlessly Swallow a Wild Boar in One Gulp, The Largest Great White Sharks Ever Found Off Florida Waters, See Dominator The Largest Crocodile In The World, And As Big As A Rhino, Watch This Huge Komodo Dragon Flex Its Power and Swallow a Shark Whole, Real Life Jaws Spotted 30ft Great White Shark By Boat, The Gulf of Mexico was a trade route dating back to the. It was used by the early Europeans as an exploration route to explore the Americas. The wetlands here comprise nearly 30% of all wetlands in the United States. A mans world? The volume of oil escaping the damaged welloriginally estimated by BP to be about 1,000 barrels per daywas thought by U.S. government officials to have peaked at more than 60,000 barrels per day. At Mow Answers, we do maps and stories for a living. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico by shore is roughly 5,200 feet. The black coral that lives in the Gulf has been found recently to be in the running for one of the oldest living things on earth. 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. Once released, the natural gas traveled up a riser to the platform of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that was over the well, where it ignited, killing 11 workers and injuring 17. They connect a sea/ocean to a landmass and often have narrower openings than bays (although this isnt a hard rule). An ocean basin is simply any large area covered with seawater and located below sea level. Hurricane Harvey is tied with Hurricane Katrina as the costliest in U.S. history. Endangered marine species such as sperm whales and West Indian manatees are found in the gulf along with nearly 50 shark species like tiger and bull sharks. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. "IHO-IOC GEBCO Gazetteer of Undersea Feature Names (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet/Adobe PDF document formats)", "Sixteenth Meeting of the GEBCO Sub-committee on Undersea Feature Names (SCUFN)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sigsbee_Deep&oldid=1009657881, This page was last edited on 1 March 2021, at 17:52. Due to its large size and the complex current system, the Gulf of Mexico has a diverse ecology, ranging from the coastal zone, which serves as a nursery for all types of marine life, to the deep waters of the abyssal plain where colonies of deep-sea coral grow on the seafloor. The Brydes whale has recently been declared as an endemic species. Still, there are, 30A's Ultimate Guide to The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck. The Gulf of Mexico also features numerous coastal wetlands and mangrove forests. The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated depth of around 14,383 feet. Water depths range from about 170 feet deep to about 450 feet deep. Some of the devastating hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico region include Hurricane Katrina (2005), Hurricane Ike (2008), Hurricane Harvey (2016), Hurricane Michael (2018), Hurricane Rita, Galveston Hurricane, etc. An ocean basin, it is bounded on the northeast, . WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. depth (ft) Nearby waterbodies (689) The Alabama Gulf Coast boasts the largest artificial reef program in the nation, with 1,136 square miles of artificial reefs located at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. The Padre Island is the worlds longest barrier island. "Size of Spill in Gulf of Mexico is Larger than Thought. It is enclosed largely by North America. 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. 10. 8. The Gulfs basin is unusually flat, with a gradient of only about 1 foot per every 8,000 feet. Now that's deep! Some of the significant ones include Blue whale, Brydes whale, Fin whale, Killer whale, Minke whale, Humpback whale, Sperm whale, and Northern right whale. 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. The Gulf of Mexico has been a source of oil since 1938, when the first oil well was drilled there. Boasting some of the worlds most diverse coral reef ecosystems in the Caribbean and Florida, the Gulf of Mexico also is home to black coral, which is the oldest living marine organism currently known. Some 1,680 miles of the US coastline and 1,743 miles of the Mexican coastline borders the Gulf of Mexico. 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. The Gulf of Mexico is a large oval-shaped oceanic basin, that is located on the southeastern coast of North America and is bounded by the US states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Florida to the north, northeast and northwest; by the Mexican states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Yucatan to the south and southwest; and by the island of Cuba to the southeast. They are often connected to the ocean by narrow water passages but that is not always observed in all geographical areas. Please select which sections you would like to print: Richard Pallardy received a B.A. Gulfs are large bodies of saltwater that can be navigated and are nearly surrounded by land. Youre probably familiar with the beautiful sandy beaches in Florida or the sprawling coastlines packed with beachgoers in South Padre Island, however, there are countless beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico to be found throughout Mexico, Cuba, and the U.S. With an average temperature between 84F and 88F the Gulf of Mexico is a perfect vacation destination. To the south and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by Mexico. Not only does it border five U.S. states Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida but the Gulf of Mexico also borders Cuba and part of Mexico. Its called the Gulf of Mexico. Geography of the Gulf of Mexico. 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 include: Atlantic Spotted dolphin, Striped dolphin, Frasers dolphin, Pantropical spotted dolphin, Clymene dolphin, and Spinner dolphin. The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation, 10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast, The Best Restaurants for Fine Dining on Alabama Beaches, The Four Best Coffee Shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night, 10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation, 5 Things I Learned From My Alabama Beach Vacation, Easy Options for a Pet-Friendly Beach Vacation, Bike-Sharing at Gulf State Park: Share the Trails, Share the Wheels, 10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 5 Thrilling Amusement Parks Gulf Shores Orange Beach, The Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier. It is enclosed largely by North America. 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. First discovered in 1999 by Texas A&M deep-tow data and 3D seismic supplied by WesternGeco LLC, the furrows are expressed for over 200 km along the Sigsbee . The Interior Department's five-year offshore leasing plan is required by law. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. 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. Who owned the rig responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? A National Geographic team has made the first ascent of the remote Mount Michael, looking for a lava lake in the volcanos crater. Its four times as salty as the nearby seawater and is warmer as well. environmental disaster, Gulf of Mexico [2010]. Some of the notable species include Southern Moon jelly, Mushroom jelly, Upside-down jelly, Cannonball jellyfish, Atlantic Sea Nettle, Pink Meanie, and Portuguese Man of War. The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin (Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. Situated in the southwestern part of the Gulf, the Sigsbee Deep (Mexico Basin) is the deepest region in the Gulf of Mexico that has an estimated depth of over 4,384m. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/23/nation/la-na-oil-rig-20100423, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/us/29spill.html, http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/about/facts.html#resources, M.A., Geography, California State University - East Bay, B.A., English and Geography, California State University - Sacramento, Fausset, Richard. Animals that wander into the lake dont come out alive. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world at a width of 810 nautical miles (1,500 km). The oil rig involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was owned and operated by offshore oil-drilling company Transocean and leased by the oil company BP. Climate change that's warming waters further is also making them larger, as in increased intensity and amount of water. Left, scientists launch a seafloor sampling device off a research vessel into the Gulf of Mexico. Briney, Amanda. It is a popular fishing destination, and its waters are used for transportation, recreation, and tourism. Not according to biology or history. There is a thriving range of wildlife living in the Gulf of Mexico and along its coastlines. The grid defines water depth with 1.4 billion 40-by-40 ft cells and is available in feet and meters. 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. It has been estimated that the Gulf of Mexico yields more shrimp, finfish, and shellfish per year than the New England, Chesapeake, south, and Mid-Atlantic areas combined. Here's where to find more lumps to fish in the gulf. The first . The Gulf was first explored by Amerigo Vespucci in 1497. 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. These include Kemps ridley, loggerhead, green turtle, leatherback, and hawksbill. liters. There are nearly 2,000 different species! The Gulf of Mexico covers roughly 615,000 mi (1.6 million km) and is about 930 miles (1,500 km) wide. All rights reserved. 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). But the Gulf is also a habitat for other sea animals including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and manatees. The Gulf of Mexico supports different species of flora and fauna and is widely recognized for its diversity and productivity. The Sigsbee Deep, for example, is estimated to be between 12,300 and 14,383 feet deep. What are the circles in the Gulf of Mexico? The United States' proposal to rename the 23 52 N 91 35 W point "Mexico basin was rejected while the ACUF Mexico basin with "Sigsbee deep" as an alternate name is given in the NGA database as 25 N 92 W.[4][5], There are other features with BGN approved names in the region in recognition of this pioneer in deep ocean sounding and commander of the first true bathymetric survey of the Gulf of Mexico conducted while commanding USC&GS George S. Blake:[4][6], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}2352N 9135W / 23.867N 91.583W / 23.867; -91.583, The name "Sigsbee Deep" has sometimes been applied to. The casual observer would need to watch the coral for many years possibly hundreds to notice any difference in its growth, however. During the summer months, the sea surface temperature rises to about 32C. It is a warm Atlantic Ocean current and the warmth of this current is the cause of the formation of devastating Atlantic hurricanes. Maybe youre aware that its located along the Gulf coast but dont know the exact boundaries, or maybe youre trying to figure out if its part of the Atlantic Ocean or not. Tourism accounts for $100 billion annually and in 2008 the fishing harvest from five Gulf states totaled $661 million. Despite what we know, there is much to be discovered in the depths of the Sigsbee Deep as there has been little exploration since its discovery. Check out our guide on the 13 colonies for everything you need to know about the colonies and how the US came to be. The Gulf of Mexico is the largest Gulf in the world and the tenth biggest body of water in the world. We end with some fun facts about the Gulf (spoiler alert: its home to a lot of sharks!). 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. [3] The actual maximum depth is disputed and estimates range between 3,750 and 4,384 metres (12,303 and 14,383 ft). It contains about 2,500 quadrillion liters of saltwater. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. Lines of underwater microphones pulled along the surface behind the ship record how long it takes the reflected waves to reach them, data that can then be translated into topography. 11 Facts You Should Know. The first oil well was drilled in the Gulf in 1938. Following the continental shelf edge westward, Diaphus Bank rises about 48 miles west of the Mississippi Trough. From the floor of the basin rise the Sigsbee Knolls, some of which attain heights of 1,300 feet (400 metres); these are surface expressions of the buried salt domes. Nice beaches and all, and warm for nine months a year, but if youre going anywhere west of about 85 degrees longitude, youll have the argument with yourself about cutting the corner across the Gulf. "A recent forecast of the size of the 'Dead ZoneR The Sigsbee Deep[Note 1] (Mexico basin in the U. S. Board on Geographic Names Advisory Committee on Undersea Features (ACUF) Gazetteer),[1] is a roughly triangular basin that is the deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico named for Commander Charles Dwight Sigsbee, USN, Assistant U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, commanding officer of the USC&GS George S. Blake which discovered the feature during its mapping of the Gulf of Mexico. The Jacuzzi of Despair as its called, is a combination of methane gas and hydrogen sulfide that kills all creatures who enter it. This cross section has been derived from recently collected deep-penetration seismic reflection profiles collected by industry. West views and deep water! 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 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. 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 Louisiana and its subsequent sinking on April 22. The Gulf's geologic origin remains uncertain. The lake gets its foreboding name because of how salty the water is and how most things dont survive it. The rig's sinking on April 22 began the discharge of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico contains seven barrier islands located along the Gulfs northwestern part. We have not only provided the answer to the question here but have also explored more interesting facts about the Gulf. This year, the Mississippi River flooded for more than 6 months, unprecedented in both length of time and volume of water. Over the centuries, people continued to use the Gulf of Mexico as a source of food and resources, as well as for navigation. You can try your hand at the pirates life with an adventure on a pirate ship cruise in Orange Beach. 1. 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. Construction of two such wells had begun in May. The Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier is the second-longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico. The floor of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most geologically interesting stretches of the Earths surface. This is the text I received from Captain Steve Papen after yet another cancelled trip due to unfavorable conditions. The Gulf of Mexico is known for beautiful white-sand beaches and exciting offshore fishing. About 60% of the Gulf is less than 700 feet deep. The entire basin is about 600,000 square miles (1.5 million sq km). With that success, they realized they could map the whole Gulf of Mexico the same way. The strength and wind speed of a hurricane vary from a Category 1, which is 74-95 mph, to Category 5, which has wind speeds over 157 mph. Nearly half of the basin is compromised of shallow continental-shelf waters and due to the separation from the Atlantic Ocean, there are minimal tidal ranges. The position of the West Florida Escarpment is shown . These complex ecosystems include corals, fish, anemones, sponges, and sea cucumbers-but limited knowledge about these habitats creates challenges for their restoration. Bats and agaves make tequila possibleand theyre both at risk, This empress was the most dangerous woman in Rome. of Mexico before you plan a fishing trip. Human activities in and around the Gulf of Mexico such as agricultural practices, oil spills, and shipwrecks are harming the ecosystem. Cleanupand fines cost BP $65 billion. The Gulf of Mexico is shallower, saltier, and warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. . But its not just another waterway. It is largely surrounded by the continent of North America. Additional explorers, such as Francisco Hernndez de Crdoba Pnfilo de Narvez later explored the area, often capturing and enslaving local people as they did so. The volume of water in the basin is roughly 2.4 10 6 cubic kilometers (5.8 10 5 cubic miles). Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. Covering an area of 1,507,639 km2, the Gulf of Mexico is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean and the worlds largest gulf. Visit the National Saltwater Angler Registry to ensure you are registered. Recreation and tourism are also a significant part of the economy of the lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. What caused the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Leopard is located in OCS block Alaminos Canyon (AC) 691, approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the Whale discovery, 20 miles (32 km) south of the recently appraised Blacktip discovery . The Gulf covers approximately 600,000 square miles. The BP Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in 2010 spilled 205.8 million gallons of oil and 225,000 tons of methane into the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is a sea and is part of the Atlantic Ocean. Heres why each season begins twice. "Flaming Oil Rig Sinks in Gulf of Mexico. It Holds as Much Power as Beauty The Gulf of Mexico is a rich reservoir of natural gas and oil. Over the years, these water bodies turn into dead zones. Half of the crater is located on land while the other half is under the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. What Went Wrong? 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). 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. Some bivalve species that are found here include oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops. Cuba, crossed some of the deepest parts of the Gulf of Mexico over 100 miles offshore, which therefore increases the . National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's Undersea Features History. The two designs are sized and analyzed for the new Gulf of Mexico metocean criteria. However, in portions such as The Sigsbee Deep, which is 2 miles southwest of Brownsville, Texas, the depths reach up to 4,384 meters, or 14,383 feet! 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. Coral reefs provide a thriving ecosystem that supports significant biodiversity in the Gulf. In the fall of 2021, nine new sections of reefs totaling 110 square miles were added to the pre-existing zones. Marc Pagani Photography/Shutterstock.com. In this article, we will look at 10 facts on the Gulf of Mexico you must know. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? The exploration companies use 3-D seismic imaging to map areas of the Gulf they are interested in. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred after a surge of natural gas blasted through a concrete core recently installed to seal an oil well for later use. In early July the LMRP cap was removed for several days so that a more permanent seal could be installed; this capping stack was in place by July 12. However, there are some areas of the Gulf that are much deeper. Sigsbee Deep is a variant name for the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) approved name of Mexico Basin for cartographic materials produced by Federal agencies. How deep is the Gulf of Mexico? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Here are 11 facts about the geography of the region: The Gulf of Mexico likely formed as a result of seafloor subsidence (or the gradual sinking of the seafloor) about 300 million years ago. "Geography of the Gulf of Mexico." Clear Map How To Use Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 1 Click to place marker 1. The defective BOP and the capping stack were removed in early September and replaced by a functioning BOP.