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Our Earth’s ocean surface is full of extraordinary wonders.
The National Geographic Society confirmed that 80% of the ocean remains unexplored.
In this blog, join me as we dive into the oceans’ mind-blowing facts!
5 Mind-Blowing Facts About Oceans
1. The largest waterfall on Earth is in the ocean.
What do people usually think?
People imagine that when they hear the word ‘waterfalls’ or ‘the largest waterfall,’ they would think of visible land waterfalls like Victoria Falls (the largest by combined width and height) or Angel Falls.
However, they don’t realize that waterfalls can also be located underwater.
Here is the astonishing reality:
One of the largest waterfalls on Earth is the Denmark Strait Cataract.
It is not a usual waterfall that is between high mountains; rather, it is in the depths of the oceans.
This waterfall is located between Greenland and Iceland.
From here, you can find a cold, dense water flow beneath warmer water, creating an underwater waterfall nearly 11,500 feet (3,505 meters) tall, far exceeding the height of any land waterfall.
This waterfall remains invisible to the eye and is detected only through high-end or advanced oceanographic measurements.
2. The ocean is becoming more acidic.
What do people usually think?
Many people usually think that the ocean is stable and that its acidity does not change significantly over time. Others may presume that the change in our atmosphere does not affect them.
However, little did we know that the ocean is constantly changing.
Here is the astonishing reality:
Our ocean becomes more acidic due to increased absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
This carbon dioxide from the atmosphere reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid.
When seawater reacts with carbonic acid, it releases hydrogen ions.
These hydrogen ions cause acidity and alter the ocean’s pH balance, threatening marine ecosystems.
And you know what?
Ocean acidification is a chronic environmental concern that affects biodiversity worldwide, as it is tightly linked to climate change, with detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, global food security, and human economies.
3. The ocean is much saltier than you think.
What do people usually think?
People often think that the taste of table salt is the same as that of the ocean.
However, ocean water is saltier than we think.
Here is the astonishing reality:
As ScienceDirect explains, the ocean contains approximately 3.5% salt, which means there are 35 grams of dissolved salts per 1000 mL of seawater.
And if this salt in the saline waters were spread evenly over the Earth’s land surface, it would form a layer about the height of a 40-story office building.
According to the National Ocean Service, the salt in the oceans primarily comes from land runoff, hydrothermal fluids and vents, underwater volcanic eruptions, and domes.
4. There are massive canyons under the sea.
What do people usually think?
When you ask some people about canyons, most of us would think of well-known ones, like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the top trekking spot Colca Canyon, or Europe’s most beautiful canyon, Verdon Gorge, in France.
But there are some even bigger than these land canyons, and sea animals live inside them like underwater valleys.
Here is the astonishing reality:
Massive underwater canyons exist beneath the ocean’s surface, formed by a combination of sediment flows, tectonic activity, and ancient river erosion when sea levels were lower.
These submarine canyons, some larger and deeper than terrestrial canyons, provide habitats for diverse marine species and influence underwater currents.
5. More than 80% of all volcanic activity happens in the ocean.
What do people usually think?
People imagine volcanoes as mountains on land that erupt lava.
They can be seen easily and have erupting features above the Earth’s surface.
However, most volcanic activities often happen under the ocean.
Here is the astonishing reality:
National Geographic Education states that submarine volcanoes are volcanoes that are hidden beneath the sea and found along mid-ocean ridges where plates pull apart.
These volcanic eruptions and activities under the ocean make new seafloor.
Since these volcanoes are beneath the ocean surface, their volcanic activity is not as visible.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that approximately 80% of volcanic eruptions or activities occur under the oceans.
Mind-Blowing Facts About Oceans Wrap-Up
Scientists confirmed that they have mapped and explored 20% of the ocean’s surface.
However, it is undeniable that our oceans hold mysteries that are beyond human perception.
