The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface and contains 97% of the planet’s water. This vast, critical reservoir supports a abundance of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.

Without the ocean, life as we know it wouldn't be possible. There are a number of key reasons why. First, the ocean is the largest source of oxygen on Earth. According to scientists, …

Nov 19, 2025 · Incredible diversity exists in the ocean, from microscopic organisms to the largest animals on Earth.

Jan 24, 2023 · Ocean acidification is a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused primarily by an increase of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Nov 15, 2024 · The ocean’s so-called biological carbon pump removes carbon from the atmosphere and stores it deep in the ocean on timescales that are important to the lifespan of …

Oct 16, 2025 · Understanding how the ocean works is foundational to understanding life on this planet and to the discipline of oceanography. Get to know the big systems of the ocean: its …

Dec 19, 2024 · The ocean water column is made up of five zones: the sunlight (epipelagic), twilight (mesopelagic), midnight (bathypelagic), abyssal (abyssopelagic) and hadal zones …

Dive in and find answers to your deepest ocean questions. Why is the ocean blue? What causes ocean waves? Get the facts and increase your ocean knowledge.

State of the Ocean (SOTO) is a suite of tools presented through an interactive, web-based visualization front end. It provides access to a broad range of satellite-derived products with …

What causes ocean waves? Surf crashing off Katama's South Beach. Photo by Jayne Doucette ©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution A trip to the ocean means sun, wind, and waves. …