What Oceans Does the Equator Not Pass Through?
The equator does not pass through the Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean, or Antarctic Ocean. The Arctic Ocean is located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Ocean is in the Southern Hemisphere.
Earth’s waters are divided into five major oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic. The Pacific and Atlantic oceans are geographically divided by the equator into the North Pacific and South Pacific oceans and North Atlantic and South Atlantic oceans, respectively. One major current in the Indian Ocean flows above the equator, while another large current circulates below the equator.
The Arctic Ocean, which is the smallest and shallowest among the five major bodies of water, is wholly within the Arctic Circle. Its surface area occupies the geographic North Pole. The Southern Ocean, which became an official ocean in 2000 based on the criteria set by the International Hydrographic Organization, surrounds Antarctica in the south polar region.
