Gulf of Alaska
The Gulf of Alaska is a broad marine sanctuary where icy waters meet rugged coastlines, supporting diverse ecosystems and remote communities.
Internal
Defines key internal marine and coastal features that structure the Gulf of Alaska.
Glacial Fjord Valleys
Towering fjords and U-shaped valleys carved by glacial activity cradle supporting habitats for salmon and marine mammals.
Open Coastal Water
Expansive, open waters where phytoplankton bloom and migrations of whales, folliage salmon pass between shelf and deep basin.
Nearby
Links the Gulf of Alaska to proximate landmasses and nearby waters.
Alaska Peninsula
The jagged Alaska Peninsula projects southwest from mainland Alaska, offering access points and transitional habitats to the Aleutian chain.
Bering Sea
A shallow, storm-prone sea linking the Gulf of Alaska to Siberia and the Arctic, critical for migratory seabirds, polar species, and commercial fisheries.
Bordering
Situates the Gulf of Alaska within natural and political boundaries.
State of Alaska
Alaska State covers the northern and western sides of the Gulf, providing administrative context, ports, and access to vast public lands and parks.
Regions
Defines larger geographic regions associated with the Gulf of Alaska.
Great Northern Pelagic Zone
A broad marine region characterized by cold, nutrient-rich waters of the north and northeast Gulf and adjacent Bering Sea, supporting migratory and commercial fisheries.