List of seas on Earth

Comprehensive list of seas on Earth

Introduction

The Earth is home to numerous seas, which are large bodies of salt water that are smaller than oceans and are partially enclosed by land. Seas are critical to the Earth's hydrosphere, playing a vital role in the water cycle, climate regulation, and supporting diverse marine life. This article provides a detailed list of seas on Earth, categorized by their location and characteristics.

List of Seas

Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world's oceans, located around the North Pole. It is surrounded by the landmasses of Eurasia and North America.

• Barents Sea
• Beaufort Sea
• Chukchi Sea
• East Siberian Sea
• Greenland Sea
• Kara Sea
• Laptev Sea
• Norwegian Sea

Norwegian Sea map

Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean, bounded by the Americas to the west and Europe and Africa to the east.

• Baltic Sea
• Black Sea
• Caribbean Sea
• Celtic Sea
• Irish Sea

Irish Sea map

• Labrador Sea
• Mediterranean Sea
• North Sea
• Sargasso Sea

Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean, bordered by Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent.

• Andaman Sea
• Arabian Sea

Arabian Sea map

• Bay of Bengal
• Laccadive Sea
• Red Sea

Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean, extending from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south.

• Bering Sea
• Coral Sea

Coral Sea map

• East China Sea
• Philippine Sea
• Sea of Japan
• South China Sea

Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean encircles Antarctica and is sometimes considered an extension of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

• Amundsen Sea
• Bellingshausen Sea
• Ross Sea
• Weddell Sea

Characteristics of Seas

Seas are typically characterized by their salinity, temperature, and depth. They are often more saline than oceans due to higher rates of evaporation and lower influx of fresh water. The temperature of seas can vary widely, influenced by their location and depth.

Importance of Seas

Seas are crucial for global biodiversity, providing habitat for countless species of fish, mammals, and invertebrates. They are also vital for human activities such as fishing, shipping, and tourism.

Related Pages

• Ocean
• Marine biology
• Hydrosphere
• Water cycle

Oceans and seas boundaries map