Southern or Antarctic Ocean Borders of the oceans

the southern ocean according cia world factbook

the southern ocean contains waters surround antarctica , considered extension of pacific, atlantic , indian oceans.

in 1928, first edition of international hydrographic organization s (iho) limits of oceans , seas publication included southern ocean around antarctica. southern ocean delineated land-based limits - continent of antarctica south, , continents of south america, africa, , australia plus broughton island, new zealand in north. detailed land-limits used cape horn in south america, cape agulhas in africa, southern coast of australia cape leeuwin, western australia, south east cape, tasmania, via western edge of water body of bass strait, , broughton island before returning cape horn.

the northern limits of southern ocean moved southwards in iho s 1937 second edition of limits of oceans , seas. southern ocean extended antarctica northwards latitude 40° south between cape agulhas in africa (long. 20° east) , cape leeuwin in western australia (long. 115° east), , extended latitude 55° south between auckland island of new zealand (long. 165° or 166° east) , cape horn in south america (long. 67° west).

the southern ocean did not appear in 1953 third edition because ...the northern limits ... difficult lay down owing seasonal change ... hydrographic offices issue separate publications dealing area therefore left decide own northern limits. (great britain uses latitude of 55° south) . instead, in iho 1953 publication, atlantic, indian , pacific oceans extended southward, indian , pacific oceans (which had not touched pre 1953, per first , second editions) abutted @ meridian of south east cape, , southern limits of great australian bight , tasman sea moved northwards.

the iho readdressed question of southern ocean in survey in 2000. of 68 member nations, 28 responded, , responding members except argentina agreed redefine ocean, reflecting importance placed oceanographers on ocean currents. proposal name southern ocean won 18 votes, beating alternative antarctic ocean. half of votes supported definition of ocean s northern limit @ 60°s (with no land interruptions @ latitude), other 14 votes cast other definitions, 50°s, few far north 35°s.

the 4th edition of limits of oceans , seas has yet published due areas of concern several countries relating various naming issues around world. ihb circulated new draft of 4th edition of publication in august 2002, there still various changes, 60 seas added or renamed 3rd edition, , name of publication changed. reservation had been lodged australia regarding southern ocean limits. effectively, 3rd edition (which did not delineate southern ocean leaving delineation local hydrographic offices) has yet superseded , iho documents declare remains in force.

despite this, 4th edition definition has de facto usage many organisations, scientists , nations - @ times iho committees. nations hydrographic offices have defined own boundaries; united kingdom used 55°s parallel example.

other sources, such national geographic society, show atlantic, pacific , indian oceans extending antarctica, although articles on national geographic web site have begun reference southern ocean.

in australia, cartographic authorities defined southern ocean including entire body of water between antarctica , south coasts of australia , new zealand. delineation same original (first) edition of iho publication , same second edition. in second edition, great australian bight defined geographical entity between australian coast , southern ocean. coastal maps of tasmania , south australia label sea areas southern ocean, while cape leeuwin in western australia described point indian , southern oceans meet.