
The Golfo San Jorge, or the Gulf of San Jorge, is a bay in southern Patagonia, Argentina. It is an ocean basin that opens to the Atlantic Ocean and covers approximately 39 square kilometres (15 sq mi). The gulf is approximately 142 miles (229 km) at its mouth and is located between Cape Dos Bahías and Cape Tres Puntas. The gulf's shoreline spans the Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces. Due to its geography, more than 70% of the gulf's basin is between 70 metres (230 ft) and 100 metres (328 ft) deep. The seabed was formed by bivalve and cirripedial remains, consisting of mud, sand, gravel, and sand with carbonate. The gulf is also known for its diverse wildlife, including various whale species and dolphin species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern Patagonia, Argentina |
| Basin | Ocean basin opening to the Atlantic |
| Shoreline | Spans Chubut and Santa Cruz province |
| Gulf mouth | 142 miles (229 km) |
| Coverage | 39 square kilometres (15 sq mi) |
| Depth | 70% of the gulf's basin is between 70m (230 ft) and 100m (328 ft) deep |
| Depth (South) | 50m (164 ft) to 60m (197 ft) deep |
| Depth (North) | 90m (295 ft) deep |
| Seabed composition | Mud, sand, gravel, sand with carbonate |
| Seabed formation | Bivalve and cirripedial remains |
| Water temperature | 5.09 °C (41 °F) to 13.41 °C (56 °F) |
| Salinity | 33000 ppm |
| Population | 90% of Chubut Province's inhabitants live on the gulf's coast |
| Biodiversity | High, due to its proximity to other bays, creeks, and islands |
| Commercial activities | Oil and gas production, commercial fishing, wind power generation |
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What You'll Learn
- The Golfo San Jorge Basin is a hydrocarbon-rich sedimentary basin
- The gulf is home to a diverse range of marine mammals
- Oil extraction and commercial fishing are important economic activities
- The gulf's seabed was formed by bivalve and cirripedial remains
- The coast of the gulf marks the start of the ocean-to-ocean corridor

The Golfo San Jorge Basin is a hydrocarbon-rich sedimentary basin
The basin is of significant paleontological importance, as it hosts six out of 22 defining formations for the SALMA classification, which is the geochronology system used for the Cenozoic in South America. The basin has largely developed under conditions of extensional tectonics, including rifting. At its centre, accumulated sediments reach more than 8,000 metres (26,000 ft) in thickness. Oil was first discovered in the basin in 1907, and it has since become the second most productive hydrocarbon basin in Argentina after the Neuquén Basin.
The Pozo D-129 Formation is the main source rock of hydrocarbons in the Golfo San Jorge Basin. This formation is linked to the sedimentary filling of a large lake during the basal Chubut Group (Barremian-Aptian) in the basin. The outcrop succession of the Pozo D-129 Formation consists of several shallowing and coarsening upward sedimentary cycles that are 5-8 metres thick. The unit includes the main source rock of the basin, as well as reservoir rocks associated with litoral lobes (deltas) and deep lobes (deep fans).
The San Jorge Gulf is an important area for commercial fishing, particularly for crustaceans and shrimp. It is also a popular site for oil extraction, which has raised environmental concerns due to the risk of oil spills and pollution. The gulf is home to a diverse range of marine mammals and seabirds, including various whale species such as the Southern Right Whale, Sei Whales, and Humpback Whales. It is also a breeding ground for many seabirds and marine mammals, making it an important area for conservation and management.
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The gulf is home to a diverse range of marine mammals
The Golfo San Jorge, or the Gulf of San Jorge, is a bay in southern Patagonia, Argentina. It is an ocean basin that opens to the Atlantic Ocean. The gulf is approximately 142 miles (229 km) at its mouth and covers an area of about 39 square kilometres (15 sq mi).
The gulf is a very rich area that provides prey for sea lions and all dolphin species. It is likely that the abundant food resources attract such large numbers of marine mammals. For example, Sei whales devote 30% of their time to feeding on squat lobsters in the area, often near the coast. Humpback whales frequently feed on silversides near the coast.
There are populations of both common bottlenose dolphins and Lahille's bottlenose dolphins in the gulf. Small groups of both subspecies are sighted regularly, and occasionally large groups of approximately 50 individuals (likely common bottlenose dolphins) are sighted with calves.
In total, 19 marine mammal species have been sighted in the area, with 12 that are sighted more frequently. The gulf's proximity to other bays, creeks, and islands contributes to its status as one of the greatest biodiversity profiles within the Patagonian Shelf.
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Oil extraction and commercial fishing are important economic activities
The Golfo San Jorge, also known as the Gulf of San Jorge, is a bay in southern Patagonia, Argentina. It is an ocean basin that opens to the Atlantic Ocean, covering approximately 39 square kilometres (15 sq mi) with a shoreline spanning Chubut and Santa Cruz province. The gulf is approximately 142 miles (229 km) at its mouth. Due to its geography, more than 70% of the gulf's basin is between 70 metres (230 ft) and 100 metres (328 ft) deep.
The Golfo San Jorge is also known for its profitable fishing ventures, particularly for crustaceans and shrimp. The communities around the gulf rely on commercial fishing as a source of income. The town of Camarones, located on the gulf, is a popular fishing destination offering nautical excursions and sports fishing.
In addition to oil extraction and commercial fishing, the gulf is also an important hub for commerce and tourism. The city of Comodoro Rivadavia, located near the gulf, is home to several museums, including the Oil Museum and the Astra Museum. The nearby town of Rada Tilly is a popular vacation spot known for its beach and outdoor activities such as swimming, windsurfing, and scuba diving.
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The gulf's seabed was formed by bivalve and cirripedial remains
The Golfo San Jorge, or the Gulf of San Jorge, is a bay in southern Patagonia, Argentina. It is an ocean basin that opens to the Atlantic Ocean. The gulf is approximately 142 miles (229 km) at its mouth and covers about 15 square miles (39 sq km). Due to its geography, over 70% of the gulf's basin is between 70 metres (230 ft) and 100 metres (328 ft) deep. In the south, it is about 50-60 metres (164-197 ft) deep, while in the north, it reaches 90 metres (295 ft) in depth.
The seabed of the gulf was formed by bivalve and cirripedial remains and consists of mud, sand, gravel, and sand with carbonate. Bivalves are a class of marine and freshwater molluscs, commonly known as clams, which have a pair of hinged shells. Cirripedes, on the other hand, are Crustacea with feathery cirri, or appendages, and include barnacles. The remains of these organisms, over time, contributed to the formation of the gulf's seabed.
The Gulf of San Jorge is considered the largest gulf of the Argentinian Patagonian Shelf. It spans from the Dos Bahías Cape in the north to the Tres Puntas Cape in the south, with its shoreline extending from the Argentine provinces of Chubut to Santa Cruz. The gulf is of significant economic importance to the region, with commercial fishing, particularly of crustaceans and shrimp, being a profitable venture. Oil extraction is also a prominent industry in the area, though it has faced environmental concerns due to potential risks of oil spills and pollution.
The gulf is also a popular destination for tourism and outdoor activities. The city of Comodoro Rivadavia, an important zone in the area, offers museums such as the Oil Museum and the Astra Museum. The small town of Rada Tilly, known for its beach, attracts visitors who enjoy swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and scuba diving.
The Gulf of San Jorge boasts a rich biodiversity and is a breeding ground for various seabird and marine mammal species. It is home to several whale species, including the Southern Right Whale, Sei Whales, and Humpback Whales. The area also has a unique geological character, with the underlying Golfo San Jorge Basin being a hydrocarbon-rich sedimentary basin of significant paleontological interest.
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The coast of the gulf marks the start of the ocean-to-ocean corridor
The Golfo San Jorge, or the San Jorge Gulf, is a bay in southern Patagonia, Argentina. It is an ocean basin that opens to the Atlantic Ocean and covers approximately 39 square kilometres (15 sq mi). The gulf is located between Cape Dos Bahías and Cape Tres Puntas, with a shoreline spanning Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces.
Comodoro Rivadavia, an important city in the zone, is home to museums such as the Oil Museum in the General Mosconi neighbourhood and the Astra Museum in the Astra neighbourhood, about 20 kilometres from the city centre. The city also serves as a base for wind power generation, with 18 wind turbines located on Arenales Hill, 14 kilometres away, supplying 16% of the city's energy.
The ocean-to-ocean corridor also offers the opportunity to witness migratory southern right whales from the shores. Nearby, the small town of Rada Tilly provides a beach with a variety of activities, including swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and scuba diving.
The San Jorge Gulf is known for its biodiversity, serving as a breeding ground for many seabirds and marine mammals. It is also a profitable fishing ground, particularly for shrimp and crustaceans. The area has a significant relationship with the oil industry, as oil extraction is a popular activity, contributing to 5% of the region's economy. However, this has also raised environmental concerns due to the risk of oil spills and pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Golfo San Jorge, or the Gulf of San Jorge, is between 70 metres (230 ft) and 100 metres (328 ft) deep in most parts. In the south, it is about 50-60 metres (164-197 ft) deep, and in the north, it reaches 90 metres (295 ft) in depth.
The Golfo San Jorge is a bay in southern Patagonia, Argentina. It is an ocean basin that opens to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Golfo San Jorge Basin is a hydrocarbon-rich sedimentary basin that covers the entire Golfo San Jorge and an inland area to its west. It is located in eastern Patagonia, Argentina, with half in Santa Cruz Province and the other half in Chubut Province.
Fishing is a profitable venture in the Golfo San Jorge due to the shrimp population. Oil extraction is also a popular economic activity in the area.
The Golfo San Jorge is home to a diverse range of marine life, including common bottlenose dolphins, Lahille's bottlenose dolphins, and various whale species such as the Southern Right Whale, Sei Whale, and Humpback Whale.





















