50 Fascinating Facts about the Ocean
By: Torben Lonne
Our oceans are filled with wonders that you can’t even imagine!
The Earth’s oceans are a world of mystery, magic and beauty. Here are 50 of the most fascinating facts about the ocean that will make you appreciate our blue planet more than ever.
It’s the mystery part more than anything else that lures divers into their depths. There is a seemingly endless array of fascinating facts about our oceans. Many of these facts are incredibly interesting, but some will defy your imagination.
There’s a reason why we love our oceans so much
It is nothing short of captivating to read through scientific facts about this magical world. However, it is also somewhat humbling to realize just how little we do know about the oceans.
Are you hooked on an ocean love? Check out the diving in Thailand, and be amazed.
It’s tantalizing to think about just how much more there is to discover. From the mesmerizing marine life to the waters themselves, it seems as though we will never know all the secrets of the sea.
Check out this favorite clip from a favorite movie about fascinating facts about the ocean:
How dependent are we really on our oceans?
It’s more than just trivial facts. The majority of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans. These oceans contain almost all of the water on Earth. This means that the oceans are of paramount importance when it comes to our survival.
A lot of the oxygen that you breathe is produced by the ocean. It is also the ocean that absorbs the heat from global warming.
Furthermore, the oceans are not just important for our survival. Most habitats can be found beneath the waves; habitats that are home to more major animal groups than dry land. And yet we know that we have only mapped and recorded a small percentage of this underwater world.
What’s worth saving?
If nothing else, this gives us some perspective regarding our role on Earth. The dry land that we tend to think of as our planet pales in comparison to the oceans. The vastness and diversity of our seas test our limits in terms of imagination, knowledge, and skill. It is this that draws divers to explore the depths. It is only once you are below the waves that you can begin to fathom – even slightly – what a miracle our oceans are.
The more fascinating facts about the ocean one discovers, the more we appreciate the whole planet.
If you liked this you’ll love our new infographic on How Ocean Pollution Affects Humans
Sources
Out infographic was created with love – and knowledge from among other these sources:
- ABC. (2014). 10 facts about our amazing oceans. abc.net.au
- BBC. (2015). Oceans.
- DPG. (2014). Basic principles of light underwater. divephotoguide.com
- Fox-Skelly. (2015). What does it take to live at the bottom of the ocean? bbc.com
- Garcia, J. T. (2014). The ocean is not flat. knowledgenuts.com
- Geology. (2015). Highest mountain in the world. geology.com
- Guinness world Records. (2015). Deepest descent in the sea by a manned vessel. guinnessworldrecords.com
- Guinness world Records. (2015). Freediving – no limit (men). guinnessworldrecords.com
- Janela, M. (2014). Ahmed Gabr breaks record for deepest SCUBA dive at more than 1,000 feet. guinnessworldrecords.com
- Joyce, C. (2014). Unexpected life found in the ocean’s deepest trench. npr.org
- Lee, J. J. (2014). World’s deepest fish lurks 5 miles down in Mariana Trench. news.nationalgeographic.com
- Marchais, A. (2014). Facts about scuba diving. originaldiving.com
- Natural History Museum. (2015). Facts about the deep ocean. nhm.ac.uk
- NASA. (2015). “Believe it or not” ocean facts. sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov
- NOAA. (2015). Can the ocean freeze? oceanservice.noaa.gov
- NOAA. (2015). What is the longest mountain range on Earth? oceanservice.noaa.gov
- NOAA. (2015). Where do deep-sea corals occur? coralreef.noaa.gov
- NOAA. (2015). Why do we have oceans? oceanservice.noaa.gov
- NOAA. (2015). Why is the ocean blue? oceanservice.noaa.gov
- National Geographic Channel. (2013). Drain the ocean facts. channel.nationalgeographic.com
- Parry, W. (2012). Living light: how and why organisms glow. livescience.com
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Comments
ok look we think there is more land than water but really there’s land under the water
I thought coral reefs are more than %1. Very surprising and rare. Now I have more encouragement and passion for scuba diving.
As a high school librarian, I am always excited to share fascinating facts with the students & science teachers alike. Thank you…
it’s pretty interesting gave me alot of facts
Thanks.
Hey Torben, very nice article regarding the ocean. These facts are really fascinating to me. I am totally amazed after reading this article and I too going to share this among the ocean lovers.
Thanks for this wonderful content, keep up the good work. Thanks..
Hi Jen,
Thank you for your nice words and that you’re writing a book bout the world and ocean. Rally sounds interesting!
Yes, please use our facts in your book.
Wow thank your for this amazing chart of ocean facts.
I am currently writing a book of rituals for primary and secondary school in Australia, with a focus on our environment, lament for the state of our world and with an edge to inspire love and respect and care for our earth.
I read your ocean facts and note that I am able to download the chart for free. Thank you. I plan to use about 10 of the facts within in a ritual of gratitude for the ocean and a call for our care. I will acknowledge the source of these facts – your web site. I am hoping that you give me permission to do this. Many thanks indeed. Jen
Nightly news reported March 2018 that by 2050 there will be more plastic and garbage in the ocean than fish.
Since 1/3(?) of our food comes from the ocean, I believe we should be concerned about this problem already. Billions of people depend on the oceans for food and jobs.
and 1/2 of the oxygen produced if from the ocean.
Hey! I am back again thanks again my class LOVED it! I told them where I got it…and they immediatly went on their computers and started looking up the website! it was PRICELESS! thank you sooooo much! bye now! I got some youtube to watch about more scuba diving and puns!
PEACE OUT!
Cheesenibbles21
Cheese
This website is really cool I am using these for fun facts for my project at school do you think this is good enough for a few fun facts??? I think so!!!!! thank you so much for this information! I think my class will more likely like the Nemo spot! thanks again Mr….Lonne! Mr.Lonne! you are the best good job at this website. I am sure my class will want to go on this website to find out more! bye for now! I CHEDDER go! that line may have been a bit CHEESY! LOL bye thanks again!
Thank you Mr.Lonne,
Cheesenibbles21
Excellent Infographic you made there! sharing it on Fb 😉
Amazing facts. Really love how you play with graphic and knowledge 🙂
5
Hi Torben, great infographic. I´ll share it on my own site and pages.
Love this, sharing it everywhere. Great job guys.
Hi Marcos
Thank you for the interest in our infographic.
It would be nice to see it translated into Spanish. I’ll shoot you an email too see if we can figure something out.
Great job!!
If you don’t mind I’m going to translate into Spanish. Just to make it more understandable to people who don’t understand English.
If you want, i can send it to you once the job is done…
I can make it better if you could send me the original image (without information) Is it possible?
Hi Chris,
Avv… Thank you for the correction, you are unfortunately right! This one I missed in the final proof-reading. Our data said 1/50 (2%,) but ended up as 20% – could you provide me with the source? 1% or 0.01% is very low – I really do not hope you’re right here.
It’s amazing how the reef, only covering 2 %, can be so important and yet so many people seem to not care about it. We are aiming at making a few more of these infographics to increase the interest in our oceans. Next one should have a bit more environmental touch, would you be interested in seeing it before I publish it next time. Maybe bring some feedback, etc.?
Again, thanks for the correction.
All the best
Torben
Hi there,
I think the statement of 20% of the ocean floor covered by coral reefs is a vast over estimate, by at least one order of magnitude. Best estimates these days are all less than 1% with some as low as one tenth of 1%.
Cheers,
Chris.