how deep is the gulf of mexico in miles
The first oil well was drilled in the Gulf in 1938. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded visiting our coast while migrating southward. The entire coastline felt the effects of Hurricane Katrina: 1,800 lives were lost and damages caused by the storm totaled $125 billion. The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico, Sigsbee Deep, is estimated to be around 14,383 feet deep while the average depth is around 5,300 feet. The lake gets its foreboding name because of how salty the water is and how most things dont survive it. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's Undersea Features History. As you can clearly see in the image below, this data is much higher resolution than the best available map, which was made in the 1990s. Ask below and we'll reply! With millions of gallons of oil spilled in the sea, the response effort was large and has lasted for over a decade. The Gulf of Mexico is a large ocean basin near the Southeastern United States. Were here to help! While most of the Gulf of Mexico is fairly shallow, its deepest point is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated maximum depth of 14,383 feet! Its over 600,000 square miles and from east to west it covers 932 miles. Who owned the rig responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? How deep are the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico? 30A has raised over $3 million for coastal charities, and has given away 4 million of its famous blue 30A stickers. Some of these Gulf of Mexico sharks include bull sharks, hammerhead sharks, and lemon sharks. [3] The Sigsbee Abyssal Plain is the deepest and flattest sector of the deep basin.[1]. At that point, the Gulf was probably a separate basin that was filled with seawater that later evaporated, leaving a blanket of salt behind. It is largely surrounded by the continent of North America. Climate change that's warming waters further is also making them larger, as in increased intensity and amount of water. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. During the summer months, the sea surface temperature rises to about 32C. Fishermen found Heather Strickland's body in a trash bag miles off the coast of Pinellas County, Florida, in December 2022. Over 40 species of sharks live in the Gulf of Mexico. South of Cocodrie at 28.09 degrees North and 90.71 degrees West, Diaphus Bank covers about 20 square miles. When an attempt to employ a top kill, whereby drilling mud was pumped into the well to stanch the flow of oil, also failed, BP in early June turned to an apparatus called the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) cap. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The Sigsbee Deep, named for the commander and surveyor Charles Dwight Sigsbee, who discovered it, is the deepest point in the Gulf of Mexico averaging between 3,750 and 4,384 meters. 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). On the night of April 20 a surge of natural gas blasted through a concrete core recently installed by contractor Halliburton in order to seal the well for later use. Hydrology The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. At its deepest point the bottom is 2.7 miles underwater, but most of the Gulf is much shallower. We've gathered 113 of the most amazing facts you can use to impress anyone you meet. Half of the crater is located on land while the other half is under the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill damaged deep-sea habitats over a large area. The feature known as Horseshoe Basin in the western Gulf of Mexico shows up far more clearly on the new high-resolution map (right). While most of the Gulf of Mexico is fairly shallow, its deepest point is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated maximum depth of 14,383 feet! The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin (Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. This in turn stimulates plankton growth and attracts numerous shrimps, small fishes, and squids. The Gulf of Mexico, under ordinary conditions, has tides of two feet or less, but on the wide and shallow shelf such a variation is quite noticeable. With the consent of the seven companies, the BOEM released the map to the public. The Sigsbee Deep, for example, is estimated to be between 12,300 and 14,383 feet deep. Eighteen percent of the country's oil comes from offshore wells in the Gulf. . On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon platform caused the largest oil spill in history. [4] A proposal by the United States renaming Sigsbee Deep, with coordinates of 23 52 N 91 35 W, to "Mexico basin" was rejected by the Sixteenth Meeting of the GEBCO Sub-committee on Undersea Feature Names (SCUFN), the international authority on feature names, in 2003 with the note that it is "an historical name dating back to Sir John Murray." The exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico feed the powerful Atlantic hurricanes which in turn cause widespread destruction. The Gulf of Mexico is connected to the Caribbean Sea via the Yucatn Channel (between Cuba and Mexico); and with the Atlantic Ocean through the Straits of Florida (between Cuba and US). https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544 (accessed March 4, 2023). Every day, 30A shares Beach Happy stories and eco-conscious products with millions of fans worldwide. Description [ edit] The basin is located in the southwestern quadrant of the Gulf, with its closest point to the U.S. coast at 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas. These skeletons may have the answer, Scientists are making advancements in birth controlfor men, Blood cleaning? The success of these procedures cleared the way for a bottom kill, considered to be the most likely means of permanently sealing the leak. It is enclosed largely by North America. 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. West views and deep water! What are the circles in the Gulf of Mexico? The defective BOP and the capping stack were removed in early September and replaced by a functioning BOP. The average depth of the Gulf is roughly 5,200 feet, but other parts of the Gulf of Mexico are surprisingly deep. Beach Happy ???????? The new year once started in Marchhere's why, Jimmy Carter on the greatest challenges of the 21st century, This ancient Greek warship ruled the Mediterranean, How cosmic rays helped find a tunnel in Egypt's Great Pyramid, Who first rode horses? The evaporation and filling of saltwater in the basin over the millennia created deposits and mounds that today appear as cliffs bordering Sigsbee Deep. These include Kemps ridley, loggerhead, green turtle, leatherback, and hawksbill. Fishing is productive in the Gulf because of the connection with tidal streams and local estuaries. 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. Red tide algae blooms in the Gulf have led to large die-offs of marine species, and the Gulf of Mexico is reported to contain one of the highest levels of microplastics in the world. This entailed pumping cement through a channelknown as a relief wellthat paralleled and eventually intersected the original well. 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. Click on a 1 degree by 1 degree square for access to low and high resolution images. Different species of jellyfish are also commonly found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational and commercial fishing, water sports, scuba diving, and tourism also forms a significant part of the economy of the surrounding areas. Some of the notable species include Blacktip shark, Bonnethead shark, Bull shark, Great hammerhead shark, Lemon shark, Nurse shark, and Sand Tiger Shark. 30A is the #1 Guide to Floridas Scenic Highway 30-A. No, although many people make that mistake, as the definition of an ocean is actually somewhat vague. GMZ001-280215- Synopsis for the Gulf of Mexico 901 AM EST Mon Feb 27 2023 .SYNOPSIS.A ridge will continue to dominate the Gulf waters through Wed night. That project also supported efforts in the characterization of surface oil spills from . The economics of the area as well as the environment thus are sensitive to pollution. Currently, there are about 27,000 wells, both oil and gas, that have been drilled and abandoned in the Gulf. The Annual John L. Borom Alabama Coastal Birdfest is a fantastic opportunity to witness these birds in action. 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 two reefs the East Flower Garden Bank and the West Flower Garden Bank were designated as a marine sanctuary in 1992. Which travel companies promote harmful wildlife activities? An underwater brine pool off the coast of New Orleans, known as the Hot Tub of Despair, was found in the Gulf of Mexico in 2014. The grid defines water depth with 1.4 billion 40-by-40 ft cells and is available in feet and meters. These nutrients favor the growth of algae and results in an algal bloom. Located close to the Continental Shelf, you'll find waters as deep as 600 feet just 10-12 miles from shore. What does this mean? In this article, we will look at 10 facts on the Gulf of Mexico you must know. The Interior Department's five-year offshore leasing plan is required by law. Because the Gulf of Mexico borders a portion of Mexico, Cuba, and five states Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, it is divided into seven regions based on specific geological and geographical factors. When the guns fire, they create sound waves that travel down and are reflected back up by the sea floor. Now that's deep! Seabirds, fish, and reptiles are abundant, as well as bottlenose dolphins, a large population of sperm whales, and sea turtles. The Flower Garden Banks are brightly colored coral reefs that are located about 185km to the southeast of Galveston, in the northwestern part of the Gulf of Mexico. A Deep Dive into the United States First Underwater Museum, This article appears in the inaugural issue of 30AsBeach HappyMagazine. Its no secret that the Gulf of Mexico is a great vacation spot! There are nearly 2,000 different species! When did the Deepwater Horizon oil spill happen? Some 1,680 miles of the US coastline and 1,743 miles of the Mexican coastline borders the Gulf of Mexico. 3. Animals that wander into the lake dont come out alive. 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. But it wasnt good enough for biologists who needed a more detailed picture of the area around the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill so they could assess the ecological damage. The explosion Heres why each season begins twice. The Gulf of Mexico is a sea and is part of the Atlantic Ocean. Still interested in learning more about the Gulf of Mexico? You can change between miles or km at any time. The Gulf of Mexico is a highly biodiverse area and features many coastal wetlands and mangrove forests. The narrow subtropical sea is 1,130km (700 miles) long and 80-209km (50-130 miles) wide. Construction of two such wells had begun in May. 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. NGDC Coastal Relief Model Vol. Plenty of marine life lives on its borders but its a rare occurring killer lake for sure. BE HONEST!! One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. Check out these interesting facts to learn more about the Gulf of Mexico. However, it was verified in June that the plumes were in fact from the Deepwater spill. 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! The Gulf has a total area of approximately 1,680,000 square kilometers (650,000 square miles) and a maximum depth of approximately 7,020 meters (23,000 ft). Nearly all offshore oil and natural gas leasing and development activity currently occurs in the central and western Gulf of Mexico, where thousands of . [2] As described below there is some confusion of names that apply to the basin or a particular point in the basin with both being found in technical and popular literature applying to both basin and the coordinates. Some bivalve species that are found here include oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops. Unfortunately, oil spills have caused irreparable damage while overfishing, pollution, and more threaten this critical resource. 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. What if we could clean them out? The Gulf of Mexico is a rich reservoir of natural gas and oil. These are not coastal dead zones, like the one that sprawls across the Gulf of Mexico, but great swaths of deep water that can reach thousands of miles offshore. Recreation and tourism are also a significant part of the economy of the lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. Ask questions; get answers. There are over a thousand types of fish in the Gulf of Mexico, including pelagic species, reef species. They are fragile, ancient, and vital to the marine ecosystem. The deepest point is in the Mexico Basin ( Sigsbee Deep), which is 17,070 feet (5,203 metres) below sea level. Direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and miles of pristine sandy beaches. The Gulf of Mexico is a part of the Atlantic Ocean and is considered an ocean basin and marginal sea. Because salt doesnt compact under the weight of overlying layers like sediment does, it ends up being less dense than the sediment above it. The Gulf of Mexico is home to more than 750 known shipwrecks, ranging from modern wrecks all the way back to the 16thcentury. A second disposal location roughly 125 miles south of Galveston, Texas, is known as Site A, and the Mississippi Canyon area is known as Site B. Transcendentalism was a key movement in 19th-century America, but many people still aren't sure what it was all about. The First European Settlement Was at Pensacola Bay, Over 60 Million Americans Live Along the Gulf. Some of the significant ones include Blue whale, Brydes whale, Fin whale, Killer whale, Minke whale, Humpback whale, Sperm whale, and Northern right whale. The deepest part of the Gulf of Mexico is Sigsbee Deep, which has an estimated depth of around 14,383 feet. The Western Gulf of Mexico, and. 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. In geographic terms, the Gulf of Mexico is also an ocean basin. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The small juvenile turtles also depend on the sargassum habitats in the open ocean for their survival. 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. Consequently it has access to all the survey data that private companies collect. The Gulf of Mexico is a 'sea' and is part of the Atlantic Ocean. Geography of the Gulf of Mexico. "Geography of the Gulf of Mexico." Heres the technology that helped scientists find itand what it may have been used for. Cleanupand fines cost BP $65 billion. When does spring start? About 5 million acres of wetlands border the Gulf of Mexico. With so much marine life dependent upon the delicate ecosystem the future of the Gulf of Mexico depends on the proper management of resources and conservation of marine life. How big is the Gulf of Mexico? Observe fireboat responding to crews battling the fire during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010, See how wire entanglement inside a well bore mitigates the effects of blowout preventer failure in an oil well. The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest ocean basinin the world, covering almost 600,000 square miles. These hurricanes are either formed or make their way into the Gulf and eventually make landfall in the areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The comparison is based on hull dimensions, including heave plate and structural support construction. The Gulf of Mexico was likely formed roughly 300 million years ago when part of the ocean floor gradually sank due to plate tectonics. The Gulf formed about 300 million years ago, and in all it encompasses 600,000 square miles. The Gulf of Mexico is an inlet connecting Mexico and the United States to the ocean and is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Before the Gulf of Mexico exists the landscape was a continuous mountain range that spanned from Central Mexico up to West Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama where it connected to the Appalachia Mountains. The Sigsbee Deep, 200 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, is estimated to be between 12,300 to 14,383 feet. The rig was located approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana, and had a 126-member crew onboard. 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. Now that's deep! Oil and gas interests generate about $124 billion, nearly half the sum generated by all industries combined. I'm actually a little scared to get in a boat with you.". The casual observer would need to watch the coral for many years possibly hundreds to notice any difference in its growth, however. "Dude, you have some terrible luck. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. Fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico make up about of the total catch in the US. It borders the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as well as the island of Cuba and parts of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico, located between Florida and Yucatan peninsulas, is a great place to vacation, live, and work. Two days later, following a series of pressure tests, it was announced that the well was completely sealed. Cuba is located to the southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. We have not only provided the answer to the question here but have also explored more interesting facts about the Gulf. All rights reserved. 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. Look forBeach Happy magazine at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger and other major outlets. Some portions of the loop current often break away, forming gyres or eddies which further affects the regional current patterns. The wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico cover around 5 million acres (2.02 million hectares). "By clicking OK or by using this Website, you consent to the use of cookies. The addition of an ancillary collection system comprising several devices, also tapped into the BOP, increased the collection rate to approximately 25,000 barrels of oil a day. It was used by the early Europeans as an exploration route to explore the Americas. The first . For-Hire Fishing Permits in the Gulf of Mexico All Recreational Anglers need a saltwater recreational fishing license or registration from a state or U.S. territory except Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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. liters. On September 17 the bottom kill maneuver was successfully executed through the first relief well. Interested in early American history? Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. . Have you ever called this the Ocean? The Gulf of Mexico is believed to contain over 660 quadrillion gallons of water. Can we bring a species back from the brink? At Mow Answers, we do maps and stories for a living. Various waterfowl, shorebirds, coral reef, and endangered sea turtles establish their habitats in the Gulf of Mexico which is crucial to their survival. "A recent forecast of the size of the 'Dead ZoneR Its called the Gulf of Mexico. They said this would protect shipping, and in the event of an emergency, rescue would be nearby. It is widely believed, that the impact that led to the creation of this crater had triggered a series of catastrophic events, which ultimately led to the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. The biota of the Gulf includes different chemosynthetic and non-chemosynthetic organisms ranging from microorganisms like benthos, meiofauna to other macro-organisms like crabs, sea pens, crinoids, and other marine fauna. Though the leak had slowed, it was estimated by a government-commissioned panel of scientists that 4,900,000 barrels of oil had already leaked into the gulf. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? This surpassed the 3.3 million barrels that spilled into the Bay of Campeche by the Mexican rig Ixtoc I in 1979. 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. The Gulf of Mexico shares its borders with the United States on the north, northeast, and northwest, and Mexico on the southwest, and the south. 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. Supported by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA) Ocean Exploration and Research, the research team recently completed an expedition into the Green Banana Blue Hole . The floor of the Gulf of Mexico is one of the most geologically interesting stretches of the Earth's surface. The Gulf of Mexico produces nearly 20% of all U.S. crude oil. As per different reports, about 11 people had lost their lives and about 5,000 barrels of oil/day had leaked into the Gulf of Mexico from the 5,486m deep well on the platform. He was a research editor with Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. from 2008 to 2016 and worked on Britannica Blog from 2010 Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The average depth of the Gulf of Mexico by shore is roughly 5,200 feet. The Spanish explorer Tristn de Luna y Arellano landed at Pensacola Bay and established a settlement on August 15, 1559. The southeast is bordered by the northwest portion of Cuba, which includes the capital, Havana. Have some feedback for us? On August 3 BP conducted a static kill, a procedure in which drilling mud was pumped into the well through the BOP. 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. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 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. The Gulf Stream originates here, and it is one of the strongest ocean currents in the world. Through the process of upwelling, which occurs near the Florida coast of the Gulf, the cooler nutrient-rich water from the deeper parts of the Gulf is brought to the surface. ", Robertson, Campbell and Leslie Kaufman. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is the worst oil spill in history, leaving almost 5 million barrels of oil in the Gulf. Natural gas is also extracted. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-the-gulf-of-mexico-1435544. The Gulf of Mexico was the site of a largeoil spillthat occurred on April 22, 2010, when an oil drilling platform, the Deepwater Horizon, suffered an explosion and sank into the Gulf about 50 miles (80 km) from Louisiana. A new high-resolution map of the floor of the Gulf of Mexico was released to the public. Coral reefs provide a thriving ecosystem that supports significant biodiversity in the Gulf. . 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 Gulf of Mexico has a maximum width of 932.06 miles and a surface area of approximately 600,000 square miles. 8. 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. A well-preserved shipwreck is seen in the Gulf of Mexico. There is a thriving range of wildlife living in the Gulf of Mexico and along its coastlines. Today, there are roughly 27,000 abandoned oil and gas wells underneath the Gulf. The dead zones are incapable of supporting aquatic flora and fauna. The distance will be displayed below the map in miles or kilometers. 2. Zoom and drag the map to find the location of marker 2. The Gulf of Mexico is bordered by 1,680 miles of US coastline. Along the south and southwest, the Gulf of Mexico is bordered by the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche,and Yucatn. The paper presents and discusses two semisubmersible designs that assume a common topsides and riser payload. She has taught English and biology in several countries. The Gulf of Mexico has around 1443 different species of fish in its water. Researchers recently announced that this year the excess fertilizer from farm fields carried to the Gulf of Mexico helped in the development of a low-oxygen, "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico that covered an area of 6,952 square miles - the 8th largest ever measured! However, there are some areas of the Gulf that are much deeper. Both oceans and gulfs are large bodies of saltwater, but gulfs are smaller and are bordered on three sides by land. 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. 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. Efforts to protect and conserve the thriving ecosystem found here are a serious priority as continuous ecological discoveries are being made and new species are being discovered. Thus, in 1559, Tristn de Luna y Arellano landed at Pensacola Bay and established a settlement. The Gulf of Mexico is roughly oval-shaped with a long dimension of about 950 mi (1,500 km). The 30A Company | 30A, Beach Happy and Life Shines are Registered Trademarks, By: Shannon Serpette | Posted Dec 17, 2021, The Five Beachiest Birds to Look for in the Sand and Skies, As a beach lover its likely you know that birds, much like other beach features, are never the same at every beach.