Atlantic facts & stats

Question 1

Which warm ocean current flows from the Gulf of Mexico up the North American coast and across the Atlantic?

Accepted Answer

Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream carries warm water northeast across the Atlantic toward Europe.

Question 2

In which year did the Titanic sink in the North Atlantic?

Accepted Answer

1912. RMS Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in April 1912 on its first voyage.

Question 3

The Atlantic Ocean is named after which figure from Greek mythology?

Accepted Answer

Atlas. Its name means 'Sea of Atlas', after the Titan who held up the sky.

Question 4

Which island nation sits on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

Accepted Answer

Iceland. Iceland straddles the ridge, which is why it has so many volcanoes and hot springs.

Question 5

Which river, the world's largest by volume of water discharged, empties into the Atlantic?

Accepted Answer

Amazon. The Amazon discharges more water than any other river, into the Atlantic off Brazil.

Question 6

Where is the deepest point of the Atlantic Ocean?

Accepted Answer

Puerto Rico Trench. The Puerto Rico Trench, at the Caribbean's edge, holds the Atlantic's deepest point.

Question 7

Who made the first nonstop transatlantic flight, in 1919?

Accepted Answer

John Alcock and Arthur Brown. Alcock and Brown flew from Newfoundland to Ireland in June 1919; Lindbergh's solo flight came in 1927.

The basics