Embedded Files
Bay vs. Ocean:
It seems so close, San Francisco, because Alameda is so close to it. But, California is famous for how close it is to the big, wide Pacific Ocean. You have probably seen it on a map of California. The Bay we live so close to is connected directly to the ocean. So what's the difference between the Bay and the ocean? Aren't they both bodies of water with waves and fish?
In this post, we discover the differences between the Bay and the ocean! How are they different, connected, and why do they matter to us, animals, and our planet?
What Is a Bay?
What Is a Bay?
First, let us find out what a bay is to begin with. A bay is when land has a big curved chunk in it leading to the ocean. This is where coastal areas surrounded by land tend to form. Three sides of a bay are land, and the fourth side is the ocean. Bays are usually shallower than the open ocean and more protected from waves, storms, and currents. The land surrounding it bring in freshwater from rivers and creeks.
Our bay has shaped and created mudflats, eelgrass, and marshes. They are nurseries for sea creatures and plants. Because the land protects the waters from storms and heavy waves, our bay is a calm, cozy, and food-rich environment for baby fish, sharks, Pacific harbor seals, and migrating birds to grow up safely and with full bellies.
In Alameda we are very lucky to live next to one of the most famous bays in the world! We call our bay the San Francisco Bay, and it is considered the largest estuary (est-chew-weary: a special place where fresh water and salt water mix) on the West Coast.
It has 77% of California's remaining wetlands, and it's home to over 1,000 species of animals. Sea bass, geese, anchovies, jellyfish, 130 species of fish, and thousands of different species of animals and plants call the Bay their home!
What Is the Ocean?
What Is the Ocean?
Now, what that we know what the Bay is, what is the ocean? We define the ocean as a huge, deep, salty body of water that covers over 70% of Earth. It holds around 96 to 97% of all water on the planet. The ocean is the heart of Earth and circulates heat and creating different weather zones around the globe. We have only mapped less than 10% of our ocean, and the number of species that live in it is still unknown.
The Pacific Ocean is the closest part of the ocean to us. It is considered the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, covering more than 30% of our planet. The Pacific Ocean is the one we see when we visit Half Moon Bay, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Big Sur.
The ocean is much much deeper than the Bay, and it can be miles deep. The deepest known part of the ocean is the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. It is around 7 miles deep, which is way taller than Mount Everest. The ocean is also much colder, more powerful, harbors big waves and currents, and is home to the largest known animal---the blue whale.
The ocean is full of mystery---so big that we haven’t explored most of it!
tHow Are They Connected?
tHow Are They Connected?
The Bay and the ocean aren't separate things...they're part of the same large system. Every day, tides flow in, out, and under the Golden Gate bridge, brining saltwater from the Pacific Ocean into our bay. The water is then pulled back out. This process happens constantly and it brings fresh nutrients into the Bay, moves fish, plankton, and baby jellyfish, and sometimes even washes away pollution.
The ocean gives life to the Bay, and the Bay gives back to the ocean by providing a home to the animals that live in it. Pretty amazing, right?
Why the Should We Care About Bays?
Why the Should We Care About Bays?
Because bays are shallow and protected, they're easier to destroy and harm. Pollution and run-off from cars, trash, storm drains, and chemicals ends up in the Bay first. This means that the ocean is directly affected as well. The animals that live here and come here to rest also
If we protect the Bay, we also protect the ocean.
The Bay is like the ocean’s front porch—and we’re the neighbors who can keep it clean.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse