30 Bizarre Facts About the Seas and the Oceans

The seas and the oceans cover most of our planet, but we still have a lot to learn about their incredible ecosystems. The following facts can be a start.

FACT 1

The Earth is the only known planet in the universe to have vast bodies of liquid water on its surface.

FACT 2

The Mediterranean Sea was once dry. About 5 million years ago, the Atlantic Ocean flowed through the Strait of Gibralter at a rate 1000 times that of the Amazon, filling the space (the Mediterranean sea) up in only 2 years.

FACT 3

More than 10,000 shipping containers are lost each year at sea.

FACT 4

For every species of marine life we know, at least three more are yet to be discovered.

FACT 5

The average ocean depth is 4 kilometres (2.5 miles).

FACT 6

The name “Pacific Ocean” originates from the Latin term “Tepre Pacificum” which means peaceful sea.

FACT 7

In 1992, around twenty-nine thousand rubber ducks were lost at sea. They are still being found, thus, revolutionizing our knowledge of the oceans or the seas.

FACT 8

The oceans don’t only have tides, waves or surface currents. They also come with a constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation powered by salinity and temperature. Here’s how it usually looks like:

FACT 9

Half of the oxygen we breathe is produced in the ocean.

FACT 10

Every year, around fourteen billion pounds of garbage are dumped into the ocean. Most of it is plastic.

FACT 11

Around 75% of the world’s volcanoes (both active and dormant) are present in the sea; an area called the Pacific Ring of Fire.

FACT 12

The deepest point of the oceans is found to be the Mariana Trench. Its depth goes as low as 11kms.

FACT 13

Sea ice is drinkable in comparison to the water. That’s because sea ice has one-tenth the salt as sea water does.

FACT 14

The Pacific Ocean is getting smaller while the Atlantic Ocean is getting bigger.

FACT 15

Point Nemo is what we call the remotest points of the oceans.

FACT 16

The world’s oceans have nearly 20 million tons of gold.

FACT 17

The Atlantic Ocean sometimes freezes in Newfoundland, Canada such that people play ice hockey on it.

FACT 18

The World’s longest mountain range is found to be under water. Stretching over 56,000 kilometres, the Mid-Oceanic Ridge runs along the centre of the ocean basins and is rightfully considered the longest mountain range in the world.

FACT 19

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure in the world. It’s so large that it can even be seen from the Moon!

FACT 20

We have explored only 5% of our seas and the oceans. There’s a whole lot more to be discovered!

FACT 21

The Baltic sea does not mix with the North Sea because of their difference in density.

FACT 22

At the deepest point of the ocean, the water pressure is almost equivalent to having 22 jumbo jets piled on top of you.

FACT 23

Oceans cover more than 71% of the surface of the earth.

FACT 24

The pH level of the Earth’s oceans is consistently decreasing since 1751. Today, they are 30% more acidic than what they were in 1751.

FACT 25

Before the invention of the compasses, the Vikings navigated the sea through the aid of celestial bodies, birds, whales, chants and rhymes.

FACT 26

The cables carrying internet and phone data across oceans are just 2.7 inches in diameter, and they lay on the ocean floor.

FACT 27

Sea levels aren’t the same throughout the world. The Indian Ocean is about 300 feet below the sea level. The North Atlantic, on the other hand, is approximately 200 feet above the average level of the seas.

FACT 28

Africa and Europe are separated only by 14.3 kilometres of ocean. There are even talks of creating the longest bridge ever as a result of it.

FACT 29

Jellyfish are rightly considered the most efficient swimmers in the world. They even consume 48% less oxygen than any other swimming animal.

Source- Flickr

FACT 30

Tamu Massif, the largest underwater volcano, is about the size of New Mexico.

So that’s basically it. Hope you had a great time reading through the 30 bizarre sea/ocean facts highlighted above. Cheerio!