We have explored almost all the land area on Earth, but we yet have to explore the entire oceans that cover almost three-quarters of our Earth. Let us learn some interesting facts about ocean and terms used for the phenomenons related to the oceans.

The five oceans that take up three-quarters of the space on the Earth are – The Pacific, The Atlantic, The Indian, The Southern and The Arctic. The biggest of them is the Pacific Ocean. In fact, all the lands can fit into it with room to spare. It is the deepest one too.

Are Sea and Ocean same?

People usually use the terms Sea and Ocean interchangeably, but the oceanographers who study the ocean say that they are different. Sea is a particular part of an ocean and has its name depending on its surroundings or appearance. The Red Sea is called so because of tiny red algae that grow in the Sea and make it seem pinkish red. The Black Sea gets its name because it is full of thick, black mud.

Why is the Ocean Salty?

Ha! Simply because there is too much salt in it. Read here to know how.

Who makes the waves?

Waves are ripples of water made by the wind blowing across the surface of the sea. The windier it is the bigger are the waves. Surfers love to ride the waves and the bigger the waves the better it is. The Mediterranean Sea has any tides hardly because it is landlocked.

What is the difference between the tides and the waves?

Tides are the rise and fall of sea level caused by gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth. Splash zone is that part of the beach that gets splashed with water as the tide comes in. Tsunamis are giant tidal waves caused by earthquakes and volcano eruption under the sea.

Mountains under water and the deepest part of the ocean. There is so much more to learn. Read here.

Useful Resource:
We suggest parents to also use instructional materials provided by NASA to further develop activities around Oceans.