What is the smallest ocean?
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world's five oceans, covering about 14 million square kilometers. Much of it is covered by sea ice for most of the year.
The Arctic Ocean surrounds the North Pole and is bordered by North America, Europe and Asia. Its average depth is about 1,200 meters, much shallower than other oceans. Its sea ice expands in winter and shrinks in summer, reaching its smallest extent each September.
The five oceans, from largest to smallest, are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic. The Southern Ocean around Antarctica was officially recognized by the National Geographic Society in 2021, though it had been used by scientists and other organizations earlier.
A changing ocean
Arctic sea ice has declined sharply since satellite records began in 1979, as the region warms faster than the global average. Scientists expect the Arctic Ocean could have nearly ice-free summers in the coming decades. This affects wildlife like polar bears and seals and opens new shipping routes.
Did You Know?
The Arctic Ocean is home to narwhals, whose long spiral tusk is actually an overgrown tooth.