OAS_Introduction to the Oceans Lesson
You may have met the ocean before, but do you really know them? You have been on this planet your entire life, and depending on where you live, you spend more time on land than in the ocean. When we look at our world, we usually think of it as mostly land. But here's the surprising twist: a whopping 71% of Earth's surface is actually covered by oceans, while only 29% is land. That's a whole lot of water! These vast bodies of water span a mind-boggling 139 million square miles or 361 million square kilometers and hold about 1.37 billion cubic kilometers of water. But here's the kicker - it's not spread out evenly. In the Northern Hemisphere, about 61% of the area is covered by oceans, while in the Southern Hemisphere, a whopping 81% is ocean.
Now, if you're wondering how deep these oceans go, it's pretty mind-blowing. The average depth of our world's oceans is about 3,800 meters, which is roughly four times deeper than your highest mountain on land. Mount Everest, the tallest peak on Earth, stands at about 8,848 meters, while the deepest part of the ocean, the Challenger Deep in the Marianas Trench, goes down a whopping 11,022 meters. Imagine, you could drop Mount Everest into that trench, and it would still be submerged under more than 2 kilometers of water! There's so much water on Earth that if we could smooth out all the land, the entire planet would still be submerged under about 2,700 meters of water. Mind-blown!
Watch the following video to get an idea of just how large and deep the ocean is.
Despite the vastness of the ocean, our understanding of it remains limited. Ocean exploration is essential for making discoveries, uncovering the unexpected, and gathering rigorous data on various aspects of the ocean, including biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and archaeology. This exploration not only sets the stage for future research and decision-making but also addresses current and emerging scientific and management needs.
Unlocking the mysteries of ocean ecosystems can lead to discoveries with significant benefits, including medical therapies, food sources, energy solutions, and innovative technologies inspired by deep-sea adaptations. Ocean exploration also enhances our understanding of how Earth's environment, including weather and climate, is changing and affecting us. It provides insights into natural hazards like earthquakes and tsunamis, driving the development of new technologies and engineering innovations that can be applied beyond ocean exploration.
So, as we dive into the world of oceanography, keep these incredible facts and ideas in mind, and you'll be well on your way to becoming an ocean expert!
The ocean covers 71% of the Earth's surface, while land only makes up 29%. On average, the ocean is about 3,800 meters deep, which is four times deeper than the highest mountain on land.
UP NEXT: What is the History of Oceanography?
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