Gulf of California

2 Temperature

Sea of Cortez redirects here. For the John Steinbeck

book, see The Log from the Sea of Cortez.

The temperature of the water in the Gulf of California

generally experiences lows of 16 C (61 F) in winter
and highs of 24 C (75 F) in summer. But in reality,
temperatures can vary greatly in the gulf, and the water is
almost always warmer by the coast than the open ocean.
For example, the waters surrounding La Paz reach 30 C
(86 F) in August, while the waters in neighboring city
Cabo San Lucas, only reach 26 C (79 F).[1][6][7][8]

The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of

Cortez, Sea of Corts or Vermilion Sea; locally known
in the Spanish language as Mar de Corts or Mar
Bermejo or Golfo de California) is a body of water that
separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican
mainland. It is bordered by the states of Baja California,
Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa with a coastline
of approximately 4,000 km (2,500 mi). Rivers which
ow into the Gulf of California include the Colorado,
Fuerte, Mayo, Sinaloa, Sonora, and the Yaqui. The gulfs
surface area is about 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi).

Occasionally, the northern Gulf of California will go

through signicantly cold winters. The water in the
Northern Gulf can sometimes drop below 8 C (46
F), which can lead to a large die-o of marine organThe Gulf is thought to be one of the most diverse seas isms. The animals most susceptible to the large deon the planet, and is home to more than 5,000 species crease in water temperature include macroscopic algae
[3]
of micro-invertebrates.[2] Home to over a million peo- and plankton.
ple, Baja California is one of the longest peninsulas in
the world, second only to the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia.[3] The Gulf of California is a UNESCO World 3 Geology
Heritage Site.

Geography

The International Hydrographic Organization denes the

southern limit of the Gulf of California as: A line joining Piastla Point (2338'N) in Mexico, and the southern
extreme of Lower California".[4]
The Gulf of California is 1,126 km (700 mi) long and
48241 km (30150 mi) wide, with an area of 177,000
km2 (68,000 sq mi), a mean depth of 818.08 m (2,684.0
ft), and a volume of 145,000 km3 (35,000 cu mi).[1]
The Gulf of California includes three faunal regions:
1. the Northern Gulf of California
2. the Central Gulf of California
3. the Southern Gulf of California
One recognized transition zone is termed the Southwestern Baja California Peninsula. Transition zones exist between faunal regions, and they usually vary for each individual species. (Faunal regions are distinguishable based
on the specic types of animals found there.[5] )

Satellite picture of gulf.

Geologic evidence is widely interpreted by geologists as

indicating the Gulf of California came into being around
5.3 million years ago as tectonic forces rifted the Baja
1

5 FISHERY

California Peninsula o the North American Plate. As

part of this process, the East Pacic Rise propagated up
the middle of the Gulf along the seabed. This extension
of the East Pacic Rise is often referred to as the Gulf
of California Rift Zone. The Gulf would extend as far as
Indio, California, except for the tremendous delta created
by the Colorado River. This delta blocks the sea from
ooding the Mexicali and Imperial Valleys. Volcanism
dominates the East Pacic Rise. The island of Isla Tortuga is one example of this ongoing volcanic activity.[10]

Weather

Even though the shores of the Gulf of California are

generally sheltered from the continuous wave shock that
is experienced by most other North American shores,
storms known as a "chubasco" can cause signicant damage to shorelines, despite their brevity.[3]

Fishery

leatherback sea turtle, and the worlds largest animal,

the blue whale. The unusual resident populations of n
whales and sperm whales do not migrate annually. The
area near the delta of the Colorado river has a small remnant population of the totoaba sh. This region has historically been a magnet for world-class sport shing activities, with a rich history of sporting world records.
The region also has a rich history as a commercial shery.
However, the data vary wildly according to the species being studied, and the Gulfs ability to recuperate after years
of overshing remains uncertain. Moreover, changes in
terrestrial ecology, such as the vast reduction in ow from
the Colorado River into the Gulf, have negatively aected
sheries, particularly in the northern region.
The Gulf of California sustains a large number of marine mammals, many of which are rare and endangered.
Its more than 900 islands are important nesting sites for
thousands of seabirds, and its waters are primary breeding, feeding, and nursing grounds for myriad migratory
and resident sh species. For decades, the gulf has been
a primary source of two of Mexicos leading marine resources, sardines and anchovies. Water pollution is a
problem in the Gulf of California, but the more immediate concerns are overshing and bottom trawling, which
destroys eelgrass beds and shellsh.
Eorts by the Mexican government to create conservation
zones and nature reserves have been hampered by lack of
enforcement resources, as well as a lack of a political consensus on this issue of conservation of the Gulf. This occurs even though signicant areas are a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. The thousands of miles of coastline are
remote and dicult to police, and the politically powerful commercial shing industry has been slow to embrace even economically viable conservation measures,
much less strict measures of conservation. Conservation
of the Gulfs sheries and coastlines is also complicated
by a long history of overcapitalization in the sector, and
the direct, often negative, impacts that conservation measures have on the livelihoods of Mexicos coastal inhabitants. At present, the Mexican government and business
interests have promoted a macro-level, tourist development vision for the Gulf, the impacts of which on local
ecology and society are uncertain.

Giant Pacic manta ray

The narrow sea is home to a unique and rich ecosystem.

In addition to a wide range of endemic creatures, such
as the critically endangered vaquita, it hosts many migratory species, such as the humpback whale, California
gray whale, killer whale, manta ray, Humboldt squid and

Coastal communities are highly reliant on both commercial and sport shing, including San Felipe, San
Carlos, Sonora, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto,
Guaymas, Baha Kino, Puerto Peasco, Topolobampo
and Muleg. The well-developed shrimp and sardine
eets of Mazatln, on the Mexican mainlands Pacic
coast, heavily exploit the commercial sheries of the
southern Gulf.
Many marine organisms can only survive within a particular salinity range, which makes salinity a notable factor
in determining the types of potentially commercial organisms found in the Gulf of California. The mean annual
ranges of salinity of the Sea of Cortez are between 3.5

3
to 3.58% at the surface.[1] Furthermore, the salinity of shes, crustaceans, and shellsh that are commercially
the water of the Northern Gulf of California is generally harvested.[3]
higher than the Central and Southern faunal regions due
to the increased amount of evaporation that occurs in that
region.[3]
8 Islands

Shores and tides

The three general types of shores found in the Gulf of

California include rocky shore, sandy beach, and tidal
at. Some of the rich biodiversity and high endemism
that characterize the Gulf of California and make it such
a hotspot for shing can be attributed to seemingly insignicant factors, such as the types of rocks that make up
a shore. Beaches with softer, more porous rocks (such as
Coquina limestone, rhyolites, granite, or diorite) generally have a higher species richness than those with harder,
smoother rocks (such as basalt or diabase). Porous rocks
will naturally have more cracks and crevices in them,
making them ideal living spaces for many animals. The
rocks themselves, however, generally need to be stable on
the shore for a habitat to be stable. Additionally, the color
of the rocks can aect the organisms living on a shore.
For example, darker rocks will be signicantly warmer
than lighter ones, and can deter animals that do not have
a high tolerance for heat.[3] The northern Gulf of California experiences tidal ranges of up to 5 m (16 ft). Mixed
semidiurnal tides are the norm throughout most of the
Gulf.

The Gulf of California contains 37 islands the two

largest being Isla ngel de la Guarda and Tiburn Island.
Most of the islands are found on the peninsular side of
the gulf. In fact, many of the islands of the Sea of Cortez
are the result of volcanic explosions that occurred during
the early history of Baja California. The islands of Islas
Maras, Islas San Francisco, and Isla Partida are thought
to be the result of such explosions. The formations of the
islands, however, are not dependent on each other. They
were each formed as a result of an individual structural
occurrence.[3] Several islands, including Isla Coronados,
are home to volcanoes.

9 Bathymetry
Depth soundings in the gulf have ranged from fording
depth at the estuary near Yuma, Arizona, to in excess of
3,000 meters (9,800 ft) in the deepest parts. The depth
of the water helps to determine its temperature. For example, shallow depths are directly inuenced by the local
temperature of the air, while deeper waters are less susceptible to changes in air temperature.[3]

10 See also
7

Estuaries

In the Gulf of California, there are a number of negative

estuaries, that is, ones in which the evaporation of seawater is relatively greater than that of the fresh water input.
The salinities of these inlets are higher than that of the
ocean. The temperatures, poikilothermal, of these negative estuaries also are higher than the general temperature
of the Gulf.
It is possible that at one time these estuaries were positive,
that is, ones in which the seawater component is diluted;
therefore, the water is brackish, with salinity less than that
of the ocean.
However, due to human modication of the land use
around the Gulf of California and water diversion for
municipal and agricultural use, there are no longer many
rivers that freely empty into the Gulf of California. The
upper Colorado River Delta is one example of a historically major estuary and wetlands ecosystem, that
since the 20th century construction of upriver dams
and diversion aqueducts on the Colorado River, is now
a small ephemeral remnant estuary. It is included
in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remaining Gulf inlets still are important to several species of

List of western shore communities on the Gulf of

California

11 Further reading
Richard C. Brusca, ed. The Gulf of California: Biodiversity and Conservation (University of Arizona
Press; 2010) 354 pages; studies by researchers on
both sides of the border on the threats to the diversity of species in the gulfs waters.

12 References
[1] Rebekah K. Nix. The Gulf of California: A Physical,
Geological, and Biological Study (PDF). University of
Texas at Dallas. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
[2] Ernesto Campos, Alma Rosa de Campos & Jess Angel de Len-Gonzlez (2009). Diversity and ecological
remarks of ectocommensals and ectoparasites (Annelida,
Crustacea, Mollusca) of echinoids (Echinoidea: Mellitidae) in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico. Parasitology Research
105 (2): 479487. doi:10.1007/s00436-009-1419-8.

13

[3] Richard C. Brusca (1973). A Handbook to the Common

Intertidal Invertebrates of the Gulf of California. Tucson,
Arizona: University of Arizona Press. pp. 1015. ISBN
0-8165-0356-7.
[4] Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition (PDF).
International Hydrographic Organization. 1953. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
[5] The Gulf of California Invertebrate Database: The Invertebrate Portion of the Macrofauna Golfo Database.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Center for Sonoran
Desert Studies.
[6] Archived December 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
[7] http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/redalyc/html/479/47942204/
47942204.html
[8] Marine Biology of Baja California. Math.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
[9] San Jorge Water Temperature (Sea) and Wetsuit Guide
(Baja Sur, Mexico)". Surf-forecast.com. Retrieved 201312-08.
[10] Science Plans RCL. review.nsf-margins.org. Retrieved
May 27, 2008.

13

External links

All About Baja - Learn all about the Sea of Cortez

and the entire Baja peninsula.
Sea of Cortez Expedition and Education Project
Desert Museum
CEDO Intercultural
PANGAS project
Boating in the Aquarium of the Pacic
Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies
"California, Gulf of". The American Cyclopdia.
1879.

EXTERNAL LINKS

14
14.1

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

Text

Gulf of California Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_California?oldid=697229384 Contributors: Mav, Bryan Derksen,

Ewen, TMC, BoNoMoJo (old), Ellywa, Ahoerstemeier, Jdforrester, Habj, Markhurd, Scott Sanchez, Hajor, Gentgeen, Kent Wang,
Ruiz~enwiki, Decumanus, Tom Radulovich, RivGuySC, Matthias Bauer, D6, Discospinster, Vsmith, Kaisershatner, Sharkbait~enwiki,
Jolomo, Yuje, Darwinek, Hooperbloob, Vizcarra, Jumbuck, Miranche, Ywong137, BDD, Oldkinderhook, Deror avi, Stemonitis, Zzyzx11,
Graham87, MauriceJFox3, Jeclough, Rjwilmsi, Coemgenus, Lockley, Feydey, Vegaswikian, Funnyhat, Mahlum~enwiki, Wars, Srleer,
Chobot, Bgwhite, Moomintrollmania, WriterHound, Dnadan, YurikBot, RobotE, Arado, NawlinWiki, Zarel, Rjensen, Awiseman, Tony1,
BOT-Superzerocool, Leo Lazauskas, Ief, Mmcannis, Ckampmeier, SmackBot, Melchoir, Goldshbutt, Flibirigit, ProveIt, Canthusus,
Hmains, Bazonka, Colonies Chris, Backspace, Addshore, Zyzzy2, Tompot~enwiki, Matthew hk, Tim Ross, Nishkid64, John, Korovio,
Hetar, Joseph Solis in Australia, Tmangray, Daveorozco, Tanthalas39, Erik Kennedy, Cydebot, Marqueed, Mziebell, JFreeman, Eu.stefan,
JamesAM, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Barticus88, Faigl.ladislav, Marek69, Escarbot, Cvos, Yomangani, RapidR, J'onn J'onzz, JackSparrow Ninja,
NE2, Dapsv~enwiki, WolfmanSF, VoABot II, The Anomebot2, Ermanon, Jcmenal, Glen, MasterRadius, Tgeairn, Extransit, Dlvmx, Athene
cunicularia, Cmichael, Tiggerjay, Idioma-bot, VolkovBot, Traveljournalist, TXiKiBoT, Xenophrenic, Martin451, SieBot, Keilana, Sbowers3, Seetheseas, Lightmouse, Tesi1700, Blazer410, ClueBot, Rjd0060, Farras Octara, Passargea, Alexbot, Thatguyint, Addbot, Buster7,
Crankelwitz, Arjuno3, ChenzwBot, SpBot, CWC uny, Numbo3-bot, Lightbot, Luckas-bot, Fraggle81, Wsw248, AnomieBOT, Galoubet,
Avorang, Materialscientist, Gamera1123, Bob Burkhardt, LilHelpa, Gigemag76, Jerey Mall, Bptaw, GrouchoBot, VS6507, Falsebadger101, Gnangbade, Briardew, Winterst, Zanhe, Lotje, TjBot, EmausBot, John of Reading, WikitanvirBot, Look2See1, RA0808, Marine
bio student, Djembayz, PBS-AWB, Ebrambot, Alborzagros, Donner60, ChuispastonBot, Lancevallery, ClueBot NG, 2z, Adwiii, Helpful
Pixie Bot, Vagobot, Yowanvista, SkepticalRaptor, Cyberbot II, Khazar2, Lugia2453, Graphium, Hajinsh, GrassyMoss, Katefrox, Sweepy,
Eldizzino, Lappspira and Anonymous: 142

14.2

Images

File:Accreting_coast_Image6.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Accreting_coast_Image6.svg License: Public domain Contributors: self-made SVG, based on the public domain PNG Accreting coast Image6.png by Feydey Original
artist: Surachit
File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Fernando_noronha.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Fernando_noronha.jpg License: CC BY
2.0 Contributors: Fernando de Noronha Original artist: Roberto Garrido from Salvador, Brasil
File:Flag_of_Mexico.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Flag_of_Mexico.svg License: Public domain
Contributors: This vector image was created with Inkscape. Original artist: Alex Covarrubias, 9 April 2006
File:Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/48/Folder_Hexagonal_Icon.svg License: Cc-bysa-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Giant_pacific_manta.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Giant_pacific_manta.jpg License: CCBY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ?
File:Gulf_of_California.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Gulf_of_California.jpg License: Public
domain Contributors: http://visibleearth.nasa.gov Original artist: Credit Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC
File:Symbol_book_class2.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Symbol_book_class2.svg License: CC
BY-SA 2.5 Contributors: Mad by Lokal_Prol by combining: Original artist: Lokal_Prol
File:Wikisource-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Contributors: Rei-artur Original artist: Nicholas Moreau

14.3

Content license

Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0