The Southern Ocean covers about 35,000 square kilometers, or 10% of the World's oceans. Most of the water surrounding Antarctica is around 9,900 feet deep. The cold temperatures allow for greater amounts of dissolved oxygen and, therefore, high biological productivity that is seen in the Southern Ocean. Once we crossed the convergence one could tell that the temperature had dropped and the water had even become a deeper blue.

The Southern Ocean is made up of the South Pacific Ocean, the South Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Between 49 and 55 degrees south latitude the cold Antarctic waters merge with the warmer waters of the other oceans. This zone is called the Antarctic convergence. The zone is marked by a distinct drop in temperature, turbulent water, and there are often feeding seabirds. The difference in water temperature can be between 8 degree Fahrenheit (summer) and 19 degrees Fahrenheit (winter).

Shown here is the circulation pattern surrounding Antarctica. The currents isolate Antarctica from the rest of the World's circulation system. This has helped Antarctica become the coldest, driest and windiest continent. The circulation pattern is called the "polar vortex."

Map from http://www.aad.gov.au