In fact, the oceans hold about 96.5% of all water on Earth. 3. All you need is to breathe deep to find the facts of the Ocean deep. Was Napoleon Bonaparte an enlightened leader or tyrant? All rights reserved, roughly 97 percent of Earth's water supply, also rich in chlorine, magnesium, and calcium, phytoplankton, mostly microscopic organisms, chemosynthesis, in which microbes convert chemicals, 80 percent of the ocean is unmapped and unexplored, tiny, soft-bodied organisms known as coral, preserve fragile, ailing ecosystems such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Lost and discarded fishing nets continue to lethally snare fish, New Jersey-size area in the Gulf of Mexico, Read more about ocean threats and solutions here. And that’s with only 5% of the Earth’s oceans considered explored! But overfishing and global warming threaten to leave oceans barren. A community of scientists, explorers, and citizen scientists continues to study the ocean, hoping that more information will yield more paths for conservation. The tiny, soft-bodied organisms known as coral, which form reefs mostly found in shallow tropical waters, are threatened by pollution, sedimentation, and global warming. Researchers are seeking ways to preserve fragile, ailing ecosystems such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef. 1. There are now 5 gyres in our ocean. How We Can Keep Plastics Out of Our Ocean. Over one million seabirds are killed by ocean pollution each year. 2. These 10 unbelievable ocean facts illustrate just how important these initiatives are. Plastic is an amazing man-made material – it’s cheap to produce and has many uses! Plastic is the most common element that is found in the ocean. Atlantic Ocean Facts for Kids The Atlantic is the second biggest ocean in the world and is between the continents of America and Europe and Africa. Nearly half of the world’s marine (oceanic) waters are over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) deep. Can we clean up, stop, or end harmful algal blooms? Love marine life? The oceans are home to millions of Earth's plants and animals—from tiny single-celled organisms to the gargantuan blue whale, the planet's largest living animal. Fish, octopuses, squid, eels, dolphins, and whales swim the open waters while crabs, octopuses, starfish, oysters, and snails crawl and scoot along the ocean bottom. Considered living fossils, frilled sharks bear many physical characteristics of ancestors who swam the seas in the time of the dinosaurs. Some currents flow quickly, while some move very slowly. Plastic debris causes the deaths of more than a million seabirds every year, as well as more than 100,000 marine mammals. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Surf and spray scatter as a large wave crashes onto the shore in Palau. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Please be respectful of copyright. More than 250 islands make up the country. What are coquina and tabby? Ships spill oil and garbage; they also transport critters to alien habitats unprepared for their arrival, turning them into invasive species. From biggest to smallest, they are the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, the Antarctic (sometimes called the Southern), and the Arctic Oceans. Bizarre fish with sensitive eyes, translucent flesh, and bioluminescent lures jutting from their heads lurk about in nearby waters, often surviving by eating bits of organic waste and flesh that rain down from above, or on the animals that feed on those bits. The water in the oceans is constantly moving in patterns called currents. The Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean. Bird migration is one of nature’s great wonders. Here are some exciting ocean facts for kids for you. Seawater's weight is about 3.5 percent dissolved salt; oceans are also rich in chlorine, magnesium, and calcium. Let’s dive into the Ocean to explore the mysteries. If you, I, and those around the world are to preserve our oceans, drastic measures have to be taken to combat this pollution. Climate change, the term scientists now use to describe global warming and other trends currently affecting the planet because of high greenhouse gas[1] emissions from humans, is strikingly reflected in the oceans. Around 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by the World’s five oceans. The total volume is approximately 1.35 billion cubic kilometers (320 million cubic miles). The vast bodies of water surrounding the continents are critical to life on Earth. It’s So Big, It’s Divided into Two One of the most important facts about the Atlantic is that the equator divides the... 3. The year 2018 marked the oceans’ hottest year on record, and warmer waters lead to a range of consequences, from changing colors to rising sea levels to more frequent powerful storms. Ocean currents govern the world's weather and churn a kaleidoscope of life. Every year, the sea rises another .13 inches (3.2 mm). Mangrove forests are cleared for homes and industry. The Earth’s oceans are a world of mystery, magic and beauty. These little-known sites help families connect to Asian American history. Other long-lived species are in crisis. Ocean acidification may render most regions of the ocean inhospitable to coral reefs, affecting tourism, food security, shoreline protection, and biodiversity. Cloudflare Ray ID: 64ddb4acdfcffa94 The earth’s oceans have been a mystery for many centuries. With over 72% of the Earth’s surface covered by salt water, the Earth’s oceans are home to 230,000 known species. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. What is the carbon cycle? The bloody history of anti-Asian violence in the West, Survivors recall the terror of the first F5 tornado. But half of the plastic we produce is designed to be used just once and then thrown away – and even plastic that can be reused or recycled gets chucked out, too!. Our garbage—particularly plastic—chokes the seas, creating vast "garbage patches" such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Atlantic Ocean is about half the size of the Pacific Ocean and covers roughly 20% of the Earth's surface. National Geographic Society's Ocean Initiative aims to restore health and productivity to the ocean by inspiring people to care and act, reducing the impact of fishing, and promoting the creation of marine protected areas. Below are some astounding facts that demonstrate the size and severity of the issue, and why the solution relies on the small, everyday actions of individuals and business owners around the world – including you. Here are 15 crazy facts about the ocean floor. Humans rarely encounter frilled sharks, which prefer to remain in the oceans' depths, up to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) below the surface. Southern – 20,327,000 km² 5. But why is the ocean salty? The Atlantic Ocean is the 2 nd largest, covering 21% of How were China's legions of terra-cotta warriors made? Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. Ninety four percent of all life forms on Earth are aquatic. Facts about the Ocean for kidsNeed help learning about the Ocean for school? There is … Oceans in order of size: 1. Here’s how they do it. Chimpanzee moms are like us: They mourn, dote, and take 'me' time. Fixing the Grand Canyon’s aging water pipeline won’t be easy—but it’s necessary. If Mount Everest was placed in the deepest part of the ocean, its … … 44 Facts About the Ocean (in no particular order) Earth is mostly water. Seawater's weight is … One effect of greenhouse emissions is increased ocean acidification, which makes it more difficult for bivalves such as mussels, clams and oysters to form shells, decreasing their likelihood of survival, upsetting the food chain and impacting the multibillion-dollar shellfish industry. The ocean is divided into Abyssal Zones based on the depth of the water. Despite regular discoveries about the ocean and its denizens, much remains unknown. The oceans hold about 321 million cubic miles (1.34 billion cubic kilometers) of water, which is roughly 97 percent of Earth's water supply. Ocean, continuous body of salt water held in enormous basins on Earth’s surface. Fact 1: The Colorado Plateau is breathtaking—but stepping off trail for a killer photo can be deadly for biocrust. The ocean is a continuous body of salt water that covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface. 23 Ocean Facts for Kids. Lost and discarded fishing nets continue to lethally snare fish, seabirds, and marine mammals as they drift. Atlantic – 76,762,000 km² 3. Around 70% of the planet’s surface is covered by oceans. If any of the below ocean facts are inaccurate, please contact us and let us know. 20+ Fascinating Facts About Ocean For Kids. However it is growing in size as it is spreading along the Mid-Atlantic Coasts. Why our coral reefs need hope, Video Story, Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. FACT #3. Geographers divide the ocean into five major basins: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern. The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is also turning ocean waters acidic, and an influx of freshwater from melting glaciers threatens to alter the weather-driving currents: the Atlantic Ocean's currents have slowed by about 15 percent over the past few decades. Oceans are deep as well as wide. With such an enormous area, there's no argument that healthy oceans are vital to a healthy planet. 1. Average sea levels have swelled over 8 inches (about 23 cm) since 1880, with about three of those inches gained in the last 25 years. Or just fancy learning some fun facts ? It covers 30% of the planet’s surface. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans. The ocean is not divided evenly between the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemispheres. But then hydrothermal vents were discovered. Coral reefs are the nurseries of the oceans, they are biodiversity hot spots. Here’s how to help preserve the landscape. Fact 1: Earth is unique due to the existence of oceans. Combined, they cover 71% of the planet’s surface or an area of some 361 million square kilometers. Much of our unwanted plastic ends up in the ocean – around 8 million tonnes of it every year, in fact! Your IP: 178.62.226.96 Here are 50 of the most fascinating facts about the ocean that will make you appreciate our blue planet more than ever. At the same time, the ocean hosts some of the world's oldest creatures: Jellyfish have been around more than half a billion years, horseshoe crabs almost as long. Three-quarters of this planet is covered by water bodies, with the biggests ones being the five oceans (the Atlantic, Pacific, Southern, Indian, and Arctic oceans). Does drinking water reduce side effects after a COVID-19 shot? Agriculture is a major source of air pollution, killing an estimated 17,900 people in the U.S. every year, according to a new study. Because most of the Earth is covered by ocean. Creatures of the Ocean & Amazing Facts Explore The Blue Featured February 12, 2010 crabs creatures of the ocean fascinating marine animals interesting facts jellyfish Marine life octopus sea life Sea Turtles seahorse 2130 Views 23 Comments 12 interesting facts about the Southern Ocean - There is still debate about the Southern Ocean. A number of scientists suggest considering the quality of … And how is climate change impacting the ocean? The oceans are losing mussel mass. Plastic materials and other litter can become concentrated in certain areas called gyres as a result of marine pollution gathered by oceanic currents. The controversial future of nuclear power in the U.S. Fertilizer runoff from farms turns vast swaths of the ocean into dead zones, including a New Jersey-size area in the Gulf of Mexico. And it is also estimated that about 50,000 to 2 million sea creatures are still unidentified. More than 80 percent of the ocean is unmapped and unexplored, which leaves open the question of how many species there are yet to be discovered. The oceans absorb the sun's heat, transferring it to the atmosphere and distributing it around the world. 'The Death of Napoleon' captures the end of a tumultuous era. Each zone has its own unique characteristics, including pressure, temperature, salinity, and biodiversity. Oil company accused of ignoring community concerns about water, wildlife, Idaho law aims to kill up to 90 percent of state’s wolves, Rare footage shows endangered whales 'hugging', Sharks can navigate via Earth's magnetic field, study confirms for the first time. It died hours after being caught. The oceans hold about 321 million cubic miles (1.34 billion cubic kilometers) of water, which is roughly 97 percent of Earth's water supply. How tiny Monaco became a giant in ocean conservation, Meat production leads to thousands of air quality-related deaths annually, ‘Megadrought’ persists in western U.S., as another extremely dry year develops, Antarctica’s ice could cross this scary threshold within 40 years. How much oxygen comes from the ocean? Will COVID-19 cancel your family reunion? Namibians allege ReconAfrica disposed of wastewater unsafely, without permits, and ignored concerns about potential impact of oil drilling on water and wildlife. Medieval elites used handwashing as a shrewd ‘power play.’ Here’s how. Much more than the other oceans combined. The largest ocean on Earth is the Pacific Ocean, covering around 30% of the Earth’s surface. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. How long do Greenland sharks live? This 5.3-foot (1.6-meter) specimen was found in shallow water in Japan in 2007 and transferred to a marine park. Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. • Watch this video during formal or informal instruction to explain to students why a healthier ocean means a healthier planet. Photograph by Awashima Marine Park, Getty Images. 33 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Earth's Oceans 1 The ocean is home to nearly 95 percent of all life.. With so much going on well below the surface, it's easy to forget... 2 Coral produces its own sunscreen.. Too much sunlight can damage the algae that live inside coral in shallow water. What are plankton? Covering nearly 71 percent of Earth’s surface, the oceans … Top 10: Recent Ocean Facts What is a barrier island? Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. Our oceans cover more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface. Find out more about the ocean, including the consequences of and potential solutions to these changes. Experts have pieced it together. Our oceans are filled with wonders that you can’t even imagine! What is … It Covers a Fifth of the Earth At over 106.5 million square kilometres (41.1 million square miles), the Atlantic... 2. These chimney-like structures allow tube worms, clams, mussels, and other organisms to survive not via photosynthesis but chemosynthesis, in which microbes convert chemicals released by the vents into energy. An ocean is a body of saline water that composes much of a planet's hydrosphere (all the waters on the Earth's surface). 14 Amazing Atlantic Ocean Facts 1. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. It is harmful for the environment as it does not get break down easily and is often considered as food by marine animals. You’d... 3. This conveyor belt of heat drives global weather patterns and helps regulate temperatures on land, acting as a heater in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer. The Pacific Ocean has an estimated 25000 islands. Oceans serve as the planet’s largest habitat and also help to regulate the global climate. Underwater drones, for example, are being deployed to explore undersea frontiers, while new tools are helping scientists measure and understand what they find. Oceans are enormous bodies of water that collectively cover about 71% of our planet’s surface. We hope these ocean facts are interesting and help you learn more about these important bodies of water that make up the Earth's hydrosphere. The deepest reaches of the ocean were once thought to be devoid of life, since no light penetrates beyond 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Pacific – 155,557,000 km² 2. Human activities affect nearly all parts of the ocean. Humans depend on these teeming waters for comfort and survival, but global warming and overfishing threaten Earth's largest habitat. Promising early results suggest we may have a new tool in the battle against the pernicious mosquito-borne parasite. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. FDA authorizes use of Pfizer’s vaccine in adolescents age 12 to 15, FDA clears the way for adolescents to get vaccinated, At last, a malaria vaccine has passed important clinical trials, Why you (probably) shouldn't panic about the falling Chinese rocket, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines safe for pregnant people, major study confirms, See millions of years of history while beachcombing in San Francisco, Hiking a desert park?