Ocean Wonders: The Fascinating World Beneath the Waves

Summer is here, and with it the season of the sea — but instead of talking about ordinary beaches, we’re focusing on the biggest bodies of water of all: the oceans.

What Are Oceans and How Vast Are They?

The vast bodies of water that separate the continents of the Earth are called “oceans.” The International Hydrographic Organization defines four oceans: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean.

Oceans cover 70.8% of the Earth’s surface, and in fact, 97% of all the water on our planet is found in them. Of the four oceans, the largest is the Pacific Ocean, which alone covers about one-third of the Earth’s surface — more than all the continents combined. Within the Pacific Ocean, there are about 25,000 islands. The ocean received its name from the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who noted its calm waters during much of his journey. Of course, the Pacific also experiences storms, typhoons, hurricanes, and powerful tsunamis.

The depth of the ocean varies from place to place. The deepest known point is the Challenger Deep, located in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. It reaches an incredible depth of about 11 kilometers below sea level.

Exploring the Oceans: The Science of Oceanography

The field that studies oceans is called oceanography. Because this field is so vast, it is divided into several fascinating sub-disciplines: marine geology, which studies the ocean floor; physical oceanography, which examines currents, waves, and tides; chemical oceanography, which explores the composition of ocean water; and marine biology, which focuses on the plants, animals, and ecosystems living in the oceans.

All that remains for us to say is: “How great are Your works, O Lord!”