ocean

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References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images, Videos & Interactives

Major features of the ocean basins

hydrologic cycle

Boundaries of the world's oceans and seas

features of Earth's oceans

hypsographic curve

continental margin

For Students

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ocean: Facts & Related Content

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Facts

Also Known As	world ocean

Photos and Videos

Major features of the ocean basins

hydrologic cycle

Boundaries of the world's oceans and seas

hypsographic curve

continental margin

Global sea level change

seafloor spreading

Hear researcher Andy Wheeler speaking about an expedition to discover new hydrothermal vent field in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean

Discover how individuals can change their habits of consumption and disposal of single-use products, especially plastics, to keep trash out of the ocean

Satellite image showing three labeled hurricanes—Florence, Isaac, and Helene—across the Atlantic Ocean in September 2018.

Learn about the water cycle and how oceans act as the Earth's water reservoirs

The importance of Wadden Sea tidal flats for migrating birds

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Topics

iceberg ocean current ocean basin sea ice submarine landform marine ice ice floe drift ice furious fifties ocean-atmosphere interaction river lake harbours and sea works cave continental landform wetland lagoon gulf bay spring

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Key People

Jacques Cousteau

Jacques Cousteau

French ocean explorer and engineer

Charles William Peach

English naturalist and geologist

C. Wyville Thomson, 1877.

Sir C. Wyville Thomson

Scottish naturalist

Addison Emery Verrill

American zoologist

Mediterranean sea and aerial view of Antalya, Turkey.

Earth’s Seas

13 True-or-False Questions from Britannica’s Easiest Science Quizzes

1:116 Aquanauts: Underwater Treasure, divers searching for treasure underwater

International Waters

Cross section of Earth showing the core, mantle, and crust

Everything Earth

water glass on white background. (drink; clear; clean water; liquid)

Water and its Varying Forms

Chutes d'Ekom - a waterfall on the Nkam river in the rainforest near Melong, in the western highlands of Cameroon in Africa.

Ecosystems

wave. ocean. Cresting ocean wave. Large sea waves. storm, hurricane, tropical cyclone

All About Oceans and Seas Quiz

Metal and enamel pan of boiling water on stove. (boiling point; cooking; steam; cooking gas; non-electric)

Aitch-Two-Oh?