Weddell Sea

Weddell Sea, arm of the Southern Ocean, situated south of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), forming an indentation in Antarctica between the Antarctic Peninsula and Coats Land. It is named for the British navigator James Weddell, who first explored the sea in 1823.

The enormous, ice-covered Weddell Sea is the source of Antarctic Bottom water, the heaviest water in the ocean. Through a process called thermohaline circulation, the dense water cooled in the Weddell Sea sinks to depths greater than 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and then flows horizontally, circulating to warmer parts of the earth.

The sea, which lies within the Antarctic Circle, is home to the Weddell seal. This species is known for its extraordinary diving abilities—the seal can dive as deep as 600 m (2,000 ft) and remain underwater for up to 70 minutes.