Khanavaic Ocean

The Khanavaic Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on the planet Valenor.

Geography

The Khanavaic Ocean, being the largest ocean on Valenor, was named for its imposing size and domineering currents and waves. From the western coast of Cianthos, it spreads across the planet to the eastern coast of Rajikas and the eastern border of the Pelishtar Ocean. From the northern coast of Ceta west of the Gerantald Peninsula, where it meets the western border of the Pelishtar, the Khanavaic extends up to the northern coast of the Pandoran subcontinent, where it meets the southern border of the Urodel Ocean.
Near the center of the Khanavaic Ocean is the Khanavaic Ridge, a massive submerged mountain range along an active divergent boundary, which separates the ocean into two major oceanic circulation cells. This ridge is also the location of Khanave E, the most generative superlithospheric geothermal power plant on Valenor. In addition, the Khanavaic Ridge, in expanding the Khanavaic and Cianthosian plates, inadvertently creates a convergent boundary between the Khanavaic Plate and the Pandoran Plate, forming the Pandora Subduction Zone, the deepest oceanic trench on Valenor, as well as the Palasade Mountains, a series of active composite volcanoes.

Ecosystem

Aquatic ecosystems of all varieties can be found throughout the Khanavaic Ocean, from architectonic coral reefs, prismatic kelp forests, and various other coastal environments, to vast, open, ultramarine ocean and floating debris fields, both natural and pollutive, to mesopelagic communities of bioluminescent clonal colonies and eusocial fish, having little to no interaction with abiotic factors outside the ocean itself.

Ecosystem Cycles

Much of the southernmost region of the Khanavic Ocean freezes over during winter, prompting the migration of many cold-water animals to more temperate waters, especially air-breathing species that cannot penetrate the advancing ice sheets.

Climate

Because of its vast latitudinal range, the temperature of the Khanavaic Ocean ranges, on average, anywhere from -4 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius, depending on the location and time of year.

Fauna & Flora

The Khanavaic Ocean is home to innumerable plant and animal species, from semi-aquatic mesocarnivores native to chaparral climates to massive apex predators found in the open ocean to finger-sized parasites clinging to creatures of all varieties. And this diversity of life can be found from the equatorial regions of the ocean to its furthest polar reaches and everything in between.

Alternative Name(s)

Cydocil Ocean

Type

Ocean

Included Locations

• Khanave E

Owning Organization

Empire of Valenor