Which ocean is the smallest and shallowest and is located near the North Pole?

Which ocean is the smallest and shallowest and is located near the North Pole?

• A. Arctic Ocean
• B. Pacific Ocean
• C. Atlantic Ocean
• D. Indian Ocean

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is comparing the size and depth of the world’s oceans and how location relates to those traits. The Arctic Ocean fits best because it sits around the North Pole and is the smallest ocean by area, about 14 million square kilometers, with a relatively shallow average depth of roughly 1,200 meters. Its enclosed, high-latitude basin and surrounding landmasses keep it much smaller and shallower on average than the other oceans, which are larger and deeper. The Pacific is the largest and deepest, while the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are intermediate in size and depth, and none are located around the North Pole.

The main idea here is comparing the size and depth of the world’s oceans and how location relates to those traits. The Arctic Ocean fits best because it sits around the North Pole and is the smallest ocean by area, about 14 million square kilometers, with a relatively shallow average depth of roughly 1,200 meters. Its enclosed, high-latitude basin and surrounding landmasses keep it much smaller and shallower on average than the other oceans, which are larger and deeper. The Pacific is the largest and deepest, while the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are intermediate in size and depth, and none are located around the North Pole.