The ocean covers 72% of the planet Earth, and for this reason it influences our lives in many ways:
- The ocean controls changes in weather and climate
- It is a major source of oxygen
- It provides numerous resources, such as fish and minerals
- It absorbs one third of carbon dioxide produced by humans
- It is a source of natural hazards (e.g. tsunamis, earthquakes, coastal subsidence)
- 50% of the world’s population is coastal
- 90% of international trade is by ship
The study of the ocean is not an easy task. To understand the mysteries of the ocean, marine science require a multi-disciplined approach dedicated to several fields of study: Physical sciences: the study of the physical characteristics of the ocean. These can be broken down into: Geology: study of the ocean floor Physics: study of the ocean physical properties and movement Chemistry: study of the composition of the water Biological sciences: the study of life in the ocean, from the smallest organism to the largest fish.
Choose a lesson:
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Lesson 1 - Geology of the Seafloor |
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Many people think that the bottom of the sea is flat and featureless – they could not be more wrong! The seafloor has only really been studied in the last 50 years and today we actually know more about the surface of the Moon than the bottom of the ocean!
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