The World's Oceans

The world's oceans are known as the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and sometimes the Arctic Ocean and Southern Ocean (around Antarctica). Although we often think of them as several oceans, they are all really one big ocean that run together, connected by enormous currents and streams and gyres, covering about three quarters of the Earth's surface. The ocean starts at the shores of our continents and islands and can go to nearly 36,000 feet deep for the Mariana Trench next to Japan.

The ocean is where life on Earth began, where the vast majority of our world's primary production still takes place (where sunlight becomes food via photosynthesis), and where many fantastic creatures live: whales and dolphins, sharks, coral reefs, jellyfish, and a great many of our favorite fish and shellfish to eat. The ocean is also a source of mystery, imagination, and mythology: who knows what lies hidden under the waves and in the murky depths? From the stories of ancient civilizations to modern-day video games, the ocean continues to awe, frighten, and inspire.

Learn about all the ways we look at our world's oceans here, with Bright Hub articles on the environment, tidal power, games and more.