Our oceans are incredible scientific marvels, and there’s a lot to learn about these amazing bodies of water. You may have learned in school that oceans cover about 70% of the Earth. Still, although we’re surrounded by ocean water, there’s a surprising amount that people don’t know about it. In honor of World Ocean Day on June 8, here are five shocking facts about the ocean.
1. There’s Enough Salt in the Oceans to Cover the Surface of the Earth
There’s a lot of salt in our oceans, which makes it dangerous to drink.
©Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz/Shutterstock.com
If you’ve ever gone swimming in the ocean, you probably noticed that you can’t swallow much of the water because of its high salt content. That salt is present in 97% of the water on our planet. There is so much salt that if you were able to extract it all from the ocean and pile it up on the land, you would be able to cover the entire land mass of our planet. It wouldn’t be a thin layer, either. If you laid it all out, the layer of salt would be about 500 feet thick, which is the same height as many office buildings.
So, where does all that salt come from? Rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it slightly acidic. When this rain falls on rocks, it causes them to erode over time, releasing minerals—including salt—that eventually make their way into rivers, streams, and, ultimately, the oceans. It’s no surprise that the oceans contain that much salt when you realize just how big they really are. One of them, the Pacific Ocean, is even wider than the Moon at its largest point. The vastness of the ocean is truly hard to fathom.
2. More of the Life on Earth is in our Oceans Than on Land
There’s an amazing amount of life under the oceans, much of which has yet to be discovered.
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Perhaps one of the most shocking ocean facts is that estimates say that more of the life on Earth resides under the oceans than on land. According to the United Nations, at least 50-80% of life is under the water. Some sources state the number could be higher than that. It may seem hard to believe until you consider what’s living down there. While there are the creatures we all think of first, like fish, whales, reptiles, sharks, and seabirds, there’s more to consider. What about algae, plants, and single-celled microorganisms? All of that is alive, and it’s in or near the ocean. The fact is even more mind-blowing when you consider that a majority of the lifeforms under water have yet to be discovered.
3. The Ocean is Home to the Planet’s Largest Living Structure
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest and most incredible structures on the planet.
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The oceans are incredibly vast, and some hold the most amazing features in the world, including the largest living structure on the entire planet. You’ve probably heard of it before. It’s the Great Barrier Reef, found off the coast of Australia.
This reef is so large that it’s famous for being one of the landmarks that can be seen from space. The reef is over 133,000 square miles. Technically, it is a collection of various reefs. There are 2,500 reefs included in it, plus over 900 islands. The Great Barrier Reef is also home to over 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 species of mollusks, and 400 types of coral. Coral itself is spectacular and incredibly resilient. In fact, some scientists believe that coral can create its own protective sunscreen in the form of coral fluorescence.
4. There are Underwater Mountains Taller Than Mount Everest
The longest mountain range on the planet is the mid-ocean ridge.
©National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) / Public Domain CC0 – Original / License
One of the craziest ocean facts is the one about the gargantuan mountain range that’s found under the water. It’s called the Mid-Ocean Ridge, and it is just over 40,000 miles long. In contrast, that’s much longer than the longest mountain range on land, which is the Andes. While the Andes are impressive in their own right, they’re only a fraction of the size at 5,500 miles. Ninety percent of the Mid-Ocean Ridge is underwater. The average height is a massive 8,200 feet, and due to the movement of the ocean floor, it’s increasing all the time.
5. There are Many Treasures Under the Sea
Billions of dollars in treasure have been lost over the centuries, sending adventurers to all corners of the globe in search of riches.
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You’ve likely heard of pirates and buried treasure, but the gold and trinkets found under the sea are on another level. One of the primary sources of all the artifacts beneath the sea is the many shipwrecks that have happened over time. It’s believed that there are at least three million shipwrecks in the world’s oceans, rivers, and lakes, and only a fraction of them have been explored.
There are some amazing treasures hidden under the sea. In fact, many experts believe that there are more treasures and artifacts beneath the ocean than in all the museums in the world combined. It’s not just chests of gold either. There is everything from bikes to dinnerware and more. With that said, there is a lot of gold down there. However, before you put on your scuba gear with hopes of getting rich, keep in mind that the gold is spread across the oceans. It’s unlikely that the amount of gold you find would make you a profit after you factor in your time and resources.
Remember Our Oceans
There are countless fascinating facts to learn about these beautiful bodies of water. The world is a beautiful place, but we need to help preserve it. Scientists believe that 30 years from now, there could be more pounds of plastic in the ocean than fish. So, enjoy the oceans while respecting them at the same time. That way, we can continue to enjoy World Ocean Day for years to come.
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