It stretches from the vast Norwegian sea, which achieves a depth of 8202 ft (2500 m) in the west, towards the coast of Novaya Zemlya in the east, as well as from the coast of northern Norway and Russia in the south to 80 degrees.
The Barents Sea is a sea off the northern shores of Norway and Russia that is divided between Russian and Norwegian territorial seas. Till the 13th century, the Barents region was an unexplored territory where fishermen, hunters, and migratory people cohabited without the existence of nation-states.
The Barents Sea is known as 'The Devil's Dance Floor' or 'The Devil's Jaw' because it is one of the most challenging waters to cross for ocean rowers and sailors. The Barents Sea is shallow, with an average depth of 755 ft (230.1 m).
It is bordered on the north by the Svalbard and Franz Josef Land archipelagos, on the south by the Norwegian and Russian continents, on the east by the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, and on the west by the Greenland Sea, which extends from Spitsbergen through Norway's northernmost point, North Cape, and from Bear Island.
The Barents seafloor is primarily covered in deposits.
It is crisscrossed by deep trenches running east to west, including the Bear Island trench and the northeastern, northern, and South Cape excavations. The Barents Sea has a subarctic environment, with average winter temperatures ranging from -13 t0 23 °F (-25 to -5 °C).
Summer temperatures range from 32-50 °F (0°- 10°C). The Russian seaport of Murmansk and the Norwegian port of Vard stay ice-free all year thanks to the mild current flow of the North Atlantic Drift.
Seas are smaller than oceans in terms of geography, and they are frequently found where oceans and land collide. The seas are located on the ocean's edge and are partially encircled by land.
The Barents Sea is bordered on the northwest by the Svalbard archipelago, on the east by the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, on the northeast by the Franz Josef Land islands, on the northeast west by the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, and on the south by the Kola Peninsula.
The Novaya Zemlya archipelago and the Kara Strait are divided by the Kara Sea.
The Barents Sea is divided into the Pechora Sea and the White Sea.
The White Sea, which separates the Kola Peninsula from the Russian mainland, is a southern extension of the Barents Sea. The Pechora Sea is located in the Barents Sea's southeastern region.
Through the Barents Sea, north-flowing water currents transfer hot Atlantic waters to the Arctic Ocean. The Barents Sea gets extensive sea ice from the central Arctic Ocean and the sea ice near its surface.
The glaciers melt during the hot summer months, allowing fresh water to flow into the Barents Sea. As a result, researchers have detected 'hotspots' in the Barents Sea.
Differences Between Sea And Lake
A lake can be either natural or manufactured, whereas a sea is a naturally created body of water.
A sea is a more extensive body of water, whereas a lake is small to medium in size. The sea is deeper than the lake. A lake can have either saltwater or freshwater, whereas a sea has salty water.
Oil And Gas
With an average depth of 755 ft (230.1 m), the Barents Sea is shallow compared to other oceans.
However, because of the oil resources that are located in the region, the Barents Sea stands as an important site for the research of natural gas and petroleum, and it is thus of significant economic importance.
Barents Sea Biodiversity And Marine Bioprospecting
Ocean currents that flow northward convey Atlantic water northward and eastward, while ocean currents that travel southward carry Arctic water. The Atlantic water supply helps distinguish parts of the region from other Arctic seas of similar latitudes.
The Barents Sea is among the world's most productive marine environments, with few other oceans boasting a comparable number of nesting seabirds. The Barents Sea is vital to the Norwegian fishing industry because it is a valuable nursery area for numerous major fish species and a source of large harvests.
In the sea, there are over 150 different fish species.
Norwegian-Arctic cod, Capelin, herring, salmon, and catfish are just a few prominent fish species. The Barents Sea has produced 1-3.5 million tons (9.07–3.18 m tons) of fish during the last 40 years.
The Barents Sea is home to some of the world's most enormous deep-water corals with coastal kelp forests, as well as some of the world's most diverse seafloor species. The various zooplanktons with other deep-sea creatures such as sponges, crabs, and bivalves that live in this sea eat phytoplankton as their primary food.
During the summer, the Barents Sea is home to one of the world's largest seabird colonies, with an estimated 20 million seabirds from 40 distinct species.
Conserving The Seas
Scientists from the Norwegian Polar Institute investigate the ecosystems, mammals, birds, and sea ice of the Barents Sea, and ecological managers assist in creating the Barents Sea Management Strategy. The Barents Portal is a site that gives first-hand environmental information from the Russian and Norwegian sides of the Barents Sea.
The Norwegian Polar Institute is in charge of the Norwegian portion of the site, a collaborative initiative involving Norwegian and Russian management and research institutes.
The Barents Sea is a narrow continental shelf that surrounds the Eurasian mainland. The continent's west coast is sharply rising and perforated by fjords, whereas the east coast is low-lying, with a variety of shallow bays, including inlets. The northern archipelagoes' coastlines are high and steep, with glaciers tumbling into the ocean and glacier-carried debris accumulating in the hollows.
Most people live in a few cities because of the harsh environment and poor facilities in the Barents region. The northernmost areas of Sweden, Finland, Norway, and northwest Russia make up the Barents Region.
Oulu, Finland, is the most prominent Nordic city in the region, and the Barents region is home to several native groups.
For example, approximately 85,000 Sami people live in Sápmi, the Sami people's ancestral homeland, which includes portions of Norway, Finland, Russia, and Sweden. In Russia, about 6,000 Vepsians and 7,000 Nenets dwell in Nenets Regional Okrug and the Republic of Karelia, respectively.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Barents sea location, then why not take a look at dangerous sea creatures, or deep-sea diving.
We Want Your Photos!
Do you have a photo you are happy to share that would improve this article?
Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy
Devangana RathoreBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy
Devangana is a highly accomplished content writer and a deep thinker with a Master's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin. With a wealth of experience in copywriting, she has worked with The Career Coach in Dublin and is constantly looking to enhance her skills through online courses from some of the world's leading universities. Devangana has a strong background in computer science and is also an accomplished editor and social media manager. Her leadership skills were honed during her time as the literacy society president and student president at the University of Delhi.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance
Amanpreet KaurBachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance
Amanpreet has a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Birla Institute of Technology and Xavier Institute of Social Service respectively, coupled with her internships at Decimal Point Analytics and the Royal Bank of Scotland, has equipped her with the necessary skills to analyze complex data and present insights in an easy-to-understand format. Her paper on the impact of COVID-19 on CSR programs has received high commendation.
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.