The ocean is a huge body of saltwater that covers well-nigh 71 percent of World's surface. The planet has ane global ocean, though oceanographers and the countries of the globe have traditionally divided it into four distinct regions: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic oceans. Showtime in the 20th century, some oceanographers labeled the seas effectually Antarctica the Southern Ocean, and in 2021 National Geographic officially recognized this fifth body of water.

An estimated 97 per centum of the earth's water is found in the ocean. Because of this, the bounding main has considerable affect on weather, temperature, and the food supply of humans and other organisms. Despite its size and impact on the lives of every organism on Earth, the body of water remains a mystery. More eighty percent of the ocean has never been mapped, explored, or even seen past humans. A far greater percentage of the surfaces of the moon and the planet Mars has been mapped and studied than of our ain ocean flooring.

Although there is much more to learn, oceanographers have already fabricated some amazing discoveries. For example, we know that the bounding main contains towering mountain ranges and deep canyons, known as trenches, just similar those on state. The elevation of the world's tallest mount—Mount Everest in the Himalaya, measuring 8.84 kilometers (5.49 miles) high—would non fifty-fifty break the surface of the h2o if it was placed in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench or Philippine Trench, two of the deepest parts of the body of water.

On the other hand, the Atlantic Ocean is relatively shallow because large parts of its seafloor are made up of continental shelves—parts of the continents that extend far out into the sea. The average depth of the entire body of water is three,720 meters (12,200 feet).

It is unknown how many different species call the ocean their domicile. With many marine ecosystems suffering from rising sea temperatures, pollution, and other problems, some oceanographers believe the number of species is dropping. However, there may be many positive surprises awaiting oceanographers in the years ahead. It could be that more than than ninety percent of the ocean's species are still undiscovered, with some scientists estimating that there are anywhere between a few hundred yard and a few meg more to exist discovered. Currently, scientists know of around 226,000 ocean species.

Learning more nearly the seafloor and the rest of the ocean is the passion of National Geographic Explorer Marcello Calisti. He is a biorobotics expert who is developing an undersea exploration vehicle that uses "legged locomotion," inspired past the way an octopus moves under h2o. His long-range goal is to design robots that can explore the depths that are difficult for humans to reach.

Since the ocean is and then vast, there is plenty for future oceanographers from all corners of the world to explore and discover.

Ocean

The body of water covers more than seventy percent of Earth, and more than 80 per centum of information technology remains unexplored.

biorobotics

Noun

field of robotics that specializes in creating robots that operate like living organisms

Noun

office of a continent that extends underwater to the deep-ocean flooring.

exploration

Noun

written report and investigation of unknown places, concepts, or issues.

marine ecosystem

Noun

customs of living and nonliving things in the ocean.

Noun

large torso of salt h2o that covers nigh of the Earth.

oceanographer

Noun

person who studies the bounding main.

organism

Noun

living or once-living thing.

seafloor

Noun

surface layer of the bottom of the ocean.

species

Noun

group of similar organisms that tin reproduce with each other.

trench

Noun

long, deep low, either natural or man-made.

  • Credits

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    Director

    Tyson Brown, National Geographic Order

    Author

    National Geographic Society

    Production Managers

    Gina Borgia, National Geographic Guild
    Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society

    Plan Specialists

    Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society
    Margot Willis, National Geographic Society

    Producer

    Clint Parks

    Terminal Updated

    Oct. 21, 2019

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