Our Earth is roofed with lovely oceans—however how a lot can we learn about them? Whereas scientists have solely explored a small portion of those our bodies of water, we’ve discovered loads from their efforts. What’s a coral reef? Is desk salt the identical as what’s discovered within the ocean? What do oceanographers do? We’ve put collectively this checklist of wonderful ocean information for teenagers to share together with your college students within the classroom.
1. Oceans cowl practically 71% of Earth’s floor.
These large our bodies of salt water include nearly 97% of all of the water on Earth.
2. There may be one world ocean.
Scientists and geographers divide it into 5 totally different sections—the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, the Southern, and the Arctic Oceans—however there’s actually just one.
3. Seas are smaller than oceans and are sometimes partially enclosed by land.
Seas normally have land on a number of sides. The Mediterranean Sea is positioned between Africa and Europe. The Baltic Sea will be present in northern and central Europe. You’ll discover the Caribbean Sea between North America, Central America, and South America.
4. Ocean water is salty.
Its saltiness comes from sodium chloride, a chemical substance that’s dissolved within the water. Our desk salt can be sodium chloride however in crystal type.
5. Oceans are deep in addition to large.
The typical ocean is often slightly over 2 miles deep. The deepest a part of Earth’s oceans, although, is the Mariana Trench within the Pacific Ocean, which is nearly 7 miles deep!
6. The ocean flooring has many ranges.
This is perhaps probably the most fascinating ocean information on this checklist. The continental shelf, the shallowest half, runs alongside the sides of the continents. They decelerate towards the deep elements, that are known as the basins. All the way in which on the backside of the basins are massive, flat plains. Deep cracks within the ocean flooring are known as trenches.
7. Ocean water is continually in movement.
Winds and different forces transfer massive quantities of ocean water round Earth in patterns known as currents. Watch this nice video to be taught extra!
8. Ocean currents will be heat or chilly.
The heat currents normally convey heat climate and rain whereas chilly currents usually trigger a dry local weather.
9. There may be life on all ranges of Earth’s oceans.
Whether or not it’s crops that develop close to the water’s floor or animals swimming of their habitat, there are 5 main life zones, and plenty of dwelling issues name our oceans dwelling.
10. There are about a million species of animals dwelling within the ocean.
Most of them are invertebrates—animals and not using a spine—akin to shrimp and jellyfish. The reality is, although, that the quantity is unknown and scientists imagine that 91% of ocean species have but to be labeled!
11. Among the Earth’s smallest animals dwell within the ocean.
Zooplankton are so small that you just want a microscope to see them!
12. The most important ocean animal is the blue whale.
Actually, it’s the most important animal to ever dwell on Earth. It’s so long as two faculty buses! Watch this superb video to be taught extra about blue whales.
13. The ocean has areas known as habitats.
They are often divided into two, really—coastal habitats and open ocean habitats. Distance from the shore, ocean depth, and temperature decide the kinds of crops and animals that dwell in an space of the ocean.
14. Coral reefs are a kind of ocean habitat.
Coral reefs are among the many most various habitats on Earth! The skeletons of tiny animals known as polyps harden to provide dwelling polyps a house. When polyps die, extra transfer in. Coral reefs are fashioned from 1000’s of years of this cycle.
15. Coral reefs are just like the rainforests of the ocean.
They supply meals and shelter to many sorts of ocean animals. Try this video about our world’s Coral Kingdoms.
16. A lot of the world’s oxygen is created by phytoplankton and algae.
By way of photosynthesis, they produce about half of the oxygen that land-dwelling creatures (together with people!) breathe.
17. Oceans preserve climates steady by storing warmth from the Solar.
By shifting water across the globe, oceans preserve locations from getting too sizzling or too chilly.
18. About 171 trillion items of plastic are floating on the planet’s oceans.
That’s simply the estimate for plastic floating on the ocean floor—it doesn’t embody plastic that has sunk beneath the floor! Watch these youngsters take motion in opposition to ocean plastic.
19. Animals on each land and sea eat plastic.
The devastating reality is that 52% of sea turtles have eaten plastic trash. One expedition discovered plastic within the stomachs of 20% of the fish.
20. Ocean air pollution reduces oxygen within the water.
Plastic air pollution disrupts the species of micro organism that reside within the ocean and is answerable for producing oxygen. This is without doubt one of the most essential ocean information for teenagers you may share. We have to all do our half to guard our oceans!
21. Oceanographers research the oceans and attempt to preserve them wholesome.
Oceanographers monitor the way in which the water strikes, have a look at the constructions of basins and seafloors, study the standard of the water, and research the crops and animals that dwell in oceans.
22. We’ve solely explored 5% of the oceans.
Contemplating oceans cowl about 70% of the Earth, we’ve got an extended option to go in attending to know our oceans! Will you be the subsequent oceanographer to find an underwater trench or new species of fish? Watch this cool video about ocean explorers!
23. The Pacific Ocean is the most important ocean on Earth.
It covers greater than 30% of the Earth’s floor!
24. The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean on Earth.
Positioned on the North Pole, the frigid Arctic Ocean will not be solely the smallest however additionally the shallowest ocean. This is without doubt one of the chilliest ocean information for teenagers!
25. The longest mountain vary will be discovered underwater.
This one shares information in regards to the ocean and mountains! The Andes in South America span 8,900 kilometers (5,530 miles) and are often known as the longest mountain vary on land. A a lot, a lot bigger mid-oceanic ridge was discovered underwater, with a size of virtually 65,000 kilometers (40,389 miles). That’s large!
26. The Ring of Fireplace is a area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic exercise within the Pacific Basin.
The Ring of Fireplace contains many trenches, together with the well-known Mariana Trench, the place the deepest place on Earth is positioned.
27. The Atlantic Ocean is barely bigger than half the dimensions of the Pacific Ocean.
Regardless that it’s the second-largest ocean and reaches a depth of 27,493 ft, the Atlantic Ocean covers nearly one-fifth of the Earth’s floor.
28. The Pacific Ocean’s title has a relaxing origin.
Named by explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the title is derived from Tepre pacificum, which is Latin for “peaceable sea.”
29. The Pacific Ocean borders greater than 50 international locations!
This is without doubt one of the most astonishing enjoyable information in regards to the ocean. Because the Pacific Ocean is so massive, it is sensible that it touches so many international locations, together with Australia, Chile, Japan, and the US.
30. The Titanic sank within the Atlantic Ocean.
Simply off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada, the famed ship hit an iceberg and sank. Greater than 1,500 passengers misplaced their lives.
31. The warmest ocean is the Indian Ocean.
Because of the heat of the Indian Ocean, the water evaporates sooner than different oceans and the heat temperature makes it powerful for phytoplankton to outlive.
32. The youngest ocean is the Southern Ocean.
Fashioned when Antarctica cut up from South America and Australia, the Southern Ocean (also referred to as the South Polar Ocean or Antarctic Ocean) is roughly 30 million years previous. This course of additionally fashioned the well-known Drake Passage (when you’re sharing these ocean information for teenagers, watch this video of what it’s prefer to cross the Drake Passage)!
33. There are 5 named oceans on Earth: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans.
Though scientists acknowledge one world ocean, it’s divided geographically into the 5 named oceans.
34. Sperm whales sleep upright within the ocean.
The magnificent sperm whale maintains a vertical place throughout its 10-to-15-minute-long energy naps. Doesn’t sound very restful for people!
35. The Atlantic Ocean was the primary to be crossed by each air and sea.
Whereas the Vikings and explorers discovered their manner throughout the Atlantic Ocean, ocean liners started crossing within the early 1800s. In 1919, Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown have been the first to finish a nonstop transatlantic flight!
36. Oceans soak up carbon dioxide from the ambiance.
The oceans assist regulate Earth’s local weather by absorbing about 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) that people launch into the ambiance.
37. The deep sea is dwelling to bioluminescent creatures.
It’s estimated {that a} whopping 90% of the animals dwelling greater than 500 meters (1,640 ft) beneath the floor are bioluminescent (light-emitting). This must be probably the most mind-blowing ocean information for teenagers! Creatures generally discovered within the pelagic zone embody jellyfish, shrimp, squid, and fish.
38. The Indian Ocean covers about 20% of the Earth’s floor.
The third largest of the 5 oceans, the Indian Ocean is about 5.5 instances the dimensions of the US!
39. The Nice Barrier Reef within the Pacific Ocean will be seen from area.
It’s, in any case, the largest dwelling construction on the planet!
40. Hydrothermal vents within the ocean can attain temperatures of over 750° Fahrenheit (400°C).
Hydrothermal vents are discovered alongside mid-ocean ridges and launch mineral-rich water that helps distinctive ecosystems.
41. The ocean has underwater lakes and rivers.
They type when seawater “seeps up by way of thick layers of salt, that are current beneath the seafloor.” Wow!
42. Ocean stress will increase with depth.
When you concentrate on it, it is sensible—the deeper you go beneath the ocean, the higher the stress from water pushing down in your physique!
43. Big kelp forests within the ocean present very important habitat.
These kelp forests present shelter, nursery areas, and meals for 1000’s of ocean species.
44. The loudest sound within the animal kingdom comes from a whale.
Thought-about the loudest animals on Earth, sperm whales can produce sounds as loud as 230 decibels—that’s louder than jet engines and rocket launches!
45. Sea ranges have risen about 8 inches since 1880.
This rise is because of adjustments in local weather which have brought about the enlargement of seawater because it warms and the melting of ice over land, akin to glaciers and polar ice caps.
