Interesting Facts About The Ocean: a Fascinating World

by Pablo Koch-Schick June 1, 2022

The ocean is a fascinating and mysterious place, covering over 70% of the Earth's surface, and home to more than half of all life on our planet. It holds 97% of the Earth's water and is full of incredible biodiversity, with many species still undiscovered.

The deepest point is the Mariana Trench, which is over seven miles deep. Amazingly, more than 95% of the ocean remains unexplored. Learning about the ocean reveals its beauty and importance, showing us why we need to protect it.

Dive into the wonders of the ocean and see why it's so vital to our world.

#1: The oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface

The oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth surface. The ocean's average depth is around 12,000 feet, which is around two and a half miles.

#2: The ocean is the Earth's largest reservoir of water

97% of all the water on Earth is found in the ocean. That means that only about three percent of all the water on our planet is freshwater. The rest is saltwater from the ocean.

#3: The ocean contains more than half of all life on Earth

Two women holding Mahi-Mahi fish on a boat (top) and two women with a man holding a large Cobia fish (bottom) - Interesting Facts About The Ocean.

The ocean is home to more than half of all life on this blue planet. That's right - more than half, somewhere between 50-80% of all the creatures on the Earth's surface, live in the ocean.

The ocean is a huge storehouse of biodiversity. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than one million different species of animals and plants living in the world's oceans. It is thought that there are still many undiscovered species living in the depths of the sea.

#4: The deepest place on Earth is in the ocean

The average depth of the ocean is about four kilometers, but there are parts of the sea that are much deeper. In fact, the deepest point in the ocean is the Mariana Trench, which reaches a depth of over seven miles (or 11 kilometers).

If Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, were placed at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, its peak would still be more than one mile below the surface! The pressure at that depth is also incredibly intense, about 1,000 times greater than atmospheric pressure at sea level.

#5: More than 95% of the ocean remains unexplored

The ocean is one of the most fascinating places on Earth. It is also one of the least explored. In fact, more than 95% of the ocean remains unexplored by humans.

The ocean is a huge and intimidating place, and it is difficult for humans to explore it. We have only been able to scratch the surface of what is down there. That means that there are vast regions of the ocean that we know nothing about! Who knows what interesting creatures and plants are lurking in the depths of the sea?

However, new technologies allow us to explore the ocean in ways that were not possible before. We are beginning to unravel some of its mysteries, and there is still so much more to discover.

Interesting Facts About the Ocean

Now that we learned some basic information let's have some fun learning interesting (and sometimes weird) facts about the ocean.

The world's longest mountain chain is underwater.

The longest mountain chain in the world is actually underwater! It's called the Mid-Ocean Ridge. This mountain range runs through the middle of the world's oceans. It is formed by plate tectonics, which causes the Earth's crust to be pulled apart and new crust to be formed. The Mid-Ocean Ridge is the longest mountain range globally, stretching for more than 40,000 miles (65,000 kilometers).

Have you heard of hydrothermal vents?!!

The Mid-Ocean Ridge mountain range is home to some of the world's most unique and diverse ecosystems. It is home to deep-sea vents, sites where hydrothermal activity occurs. Hydrothermal vents are areas where hot water and minerals are released from the Earth's crust. These vents support various organisms, including bacteria, archaea, worms, crabs, and fish.

Hydrothermal vents might help scientists discover the origins of life!

The Mid-Ocean Ridge is an important location for scientific research. Scientists study hydrothermal vents to understand how life on Earth began. They also study the unique ecosystems found in this environment. The Mid-Ocean Ridge provides scientists with a window into the Sustenance Zone. In this deep ocean environment, hydrothermal vent ecosystems are found.

Oceans are constantly changing

One of the most interesting things about the oceans is that they constantly change. The water in the oceans is always in motion due to waves, tides, and currents. This movement helps to distribute things like heat and salt around the planet.

Did you know that understanding the Ocean and its tides can help your fishing?

The largest ocean waves are beneath the surface

The largest ocean waves are actually beneath the surface! These are called tsunamis, which can be caused by earthquakes, volcanoes, or landslides.

Tsunamis can reach more than 30 meters (100 feet) and speeds up to 800 kilometers per hour (500 miles per hour). That's fast enough to travel from New York to Los Angeles in just over an hour!

Check out the largest wave in history!

More people have been to the moon than have been to the Mariana Trench

On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human being to walk on the moon. Since then, only a dozen other people have had the same distinction. In contrast, only three people have ever been to the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth.

Water at the bottom of the ocean is very hot

Did you know that the water at the bottom of the ocean is incredibly hot? The water near the bottom of the ocean can reach temperatures of more than 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius)! It's because of the Earth's heat core.

The Earth's heat core is a big ball of hot rock and metal surrounded by a layer of the molten mantle. The mantle is composed of really dense rock that conducts heat really well.

This means that the heat from the core can travel all the way to the bottom of the ocean, making the water there super hot! Of course, this heat is slowly dissipated as it travels through the water, so it doesn't make it to the surface. But if you were to dive deep enough, you would definitely feel the difference!

The pressure at the bottom of the ocean is insane

Life at the bottom of the ocean is incredibly different than what most people are used to. The environment is completely dark, but the pressure is also extremely high.

The pressure at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, for example, is more than 110 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level. It would be like being crushed by more than 50 jumbo jets, to put that into perspective.

This extreme pressure makes it very difficult for animals to move and breathe. As a result, most deep-sea creatures are relatively slow-moving and have very small respiratory systems. To survive in this harsh environment, they must be able to adapt quickly to changes in pressure and temperature.

The ocean has volcanoes

Underwater hydrothermal vent emitting hot water and minerals, creating a vibrant glow in the deep ocean

There are actually more than 1500 underwater volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean alone. These volcanoes are formed when hot molten rock, called magma, rises to the surface and erupts. Underwater eruptions can create huge columns of steam and ash, which can be incredibly dangerous for ships and marine life.

Most of these underwater volcanoes are located around the "Ring of Fire," a horseshoe-shaped area in the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

The Ring of Fire is caused by the movements of the Earth's plates. When two plates collide, one is forced underneath the other. As it sinks, the water around it becomes superheated. This superheated water then rises back up to the surface through cracks in the Earth's crust, causing an underwater eruption.

While underwater volcanoes can be dangerous, they also play an important role in maintaining the Earth's balance. The magma from these eruptions helps to create new landforms and provides essential nutrients for marine life. In fact, without underwater volcanoes, life on Earth would not be possible.

There are more islands in the ocean than there are countries on land

Aerial view of ocean and islands from an airplane window, showing the wing and clear blue skies - Interesting Facts About The Ocean.

The world's oceans are home to a staggering 20,000 different islands, ranging from small coral reefs to large continents.

The vast majority of these islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, containing more than twice as many islands as any other ocean. The most famous island in the Pacific is undoubtedly Hawaii, which is actually made up of a chain of over 130 different islands.

While most of the world's islands are found in tropical or subtropical waters, many islands are located in colder climates. These include Iceland, Greenland, and the British Isles. Other notable islands in the Pacific include Fiji, Tahiti, and the Marshall Islands. Ultimately, the huge variety of islands found around the world is one of the things that makes our planet so special.

Icequakes are a thing

Icequakes can be pretty interesting! These seismic events happen when glaciers or icebergs calve, and they can be detected on land and underwater. Often, they sound like thunder.

Icequakes can have a range of intensities, and they often result in the formation of new icebergs. In some cases, they can also cause tsunamis.

Fun Facts about Ocean's Interesting Creatures

The ocean is home to a wide variety of interesting creatures. There is an incredible diversity in the sea, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest whales.

Marine life is often very different from what we see on land, making it all the more fascinating! One of the things that make marine life so interesting is that it is often very different from what we see on land.

Additionally, the ocean is home to various plants and animals that have adapted to live in saltwater. These adaptations can be quite bizarre, such as the venomous spines of some fish or the special filters that some animals use to extract food from the water.

The ocean is a truly fascinating place. We are only just beginning to scratch the surface in our understanding of it!

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet

Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of all marine life and are essential to the ocean's ecosystem. Coral reefs provide critical habitats for much different fish, corals, and other marine animals. Without coral reefs, our oceans would be very different places.

Coral reefs are under threat from a variety of human activities. Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to rise, which bleaches coral reefs and makes them more vulnerable to disease. Pollution from boats, cars, and factories can damage corals and make it difficult for them to grow. And overfishing can remove key species from coral reefs, disrupting the delicate balance that makes these ecosystems special.

Some of the strangest marine life are found in the deep sea

The deep sea is one of the most fascinating and least explored areas of the ocean floor. It is thought that only around 5% of the creatures that live in the deep sea have been discovered, which means that there are still many mysteries waiting to be discovered!

For example, many fish live in very deep water with no light. To adapt to these conditions, they have evolved unique methods of navigation and communication.

The deep-sea is harsh, with high pressure and little light. This means that many of the creatures that live there are adapted to these conditions. Some have large eyes to help them see in the dark, while others have strange bodies that help them to float in sea water.

Plankton are the foundation of the marine food chain

Microscopic view of various plankton species floating in the ocean - Interesting Facts About The Ocean.

Plankton is tiny creatures that float in the ocean. They are a critical part of the marine food chain and provide food for many different species of fish, whales, and other marine animals.

Plankton is divided into two main groups: phytoplankton and zooplankton.

Phytoplankton is plant-like plankton that relies on sunlight to create their own food.
Zooplankton is small animals that feed on phytoplankton.

Plankton is an important food source for many fish, whales, and other marine animals. Whales, for example, eat up to 3,000 pounds of plankton each day! Plankton is also an important part of the carbon cycle.

When phytoplankton dies, they sink to the ocean floor, where they decompose. This process releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which helps to regulate Earth's climate.

Whales are by far the largest creatures on Earth

Group of whales swimming at the ocean surface, spouting water - Interesting Facts About The Ocean.

Whales are fascinating ocean animals. You may not have known that there are more than 80 species of them, with some growing as large and weighing up to 150 tons! These massive animals can be found all over the world in various oceans. They mostly reside near shorelines where humans live close by, so we can see these amazing giants up-close on occasion.

Dolphins are some of the smartest creatures on Earth

Pod of dolphins swimming underwater with rays of sunlight filtering through the water - Interesting Facts About The Ocean.

It's a widely known fact that dolphins are very smart and have complex social structures. They can communicate with each other using a variety of different sounds.

Dolphin brains are similar to human brains in many ways. They are even able to recognize themselves in a mirror! Scientists believe that dolphins may be able to understand human language.

Some dolphins have even been trained to do tricks! Dolphins are very playful creatures, and they often swim with humans. They are also very curious and will sometimes investigate objects found in sea water. Dolphins are fascinating ocean animals, and there is still much we don't know about them.

Sharks are some of the oldest creatures on Earth

Sharks are one of the most interesting ocean animals. Did you know that they are some of the oldest creatures on this planet? Sharks have been around for more than 400 million years, which means they predate dinosaurs!

There are more than 470 species of sharks, ranging in size from the tiny Dwarf Lanternshark (which is less than a foot long) to the massive Whale Shark (which can grow up to 60 feet in length). Sharks can be found in every ocean on the planet. They play an important role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.

Despite their reputation as fearsome predators, sharks are actually quite shy and tend to avoid contact with humans.

Conclusion

The ocean is a vital part of our planet, and we need to do everything we can to protect it. Learning about the ocean is a great hobby and a rewarding life-long profession for many. The more we learn about oceans, the more we realize how little we know. There is still so much to explore!

I hope you found this post interesting and informative. If so, please share it with your friends! Let's do our part to preserve this vital resource for future generations.

Not had your fill? Read about some of the weirdest fish ever caught in the oceans!