Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, oceans contain nearly all of the Earth’s water, which is just one reason why studying oceans and ways to protect them is so important.
Oceans attract billions of visitors and vacationers each year, and learning about them can instill an even greater appreciation for these vast and vital bodies of water. The following are some interesting facts about the world’s oceans that might surprise even the most devoted sea lovers.
Ocean water is constantly moving. Many people love being near an ocean because of its calming effects, but even when waves aren’t crashing onto the shore, water is never sitting still. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the water cycle guarantees that the Earth’s water supply is constantly on the move.
Oceans affect the climate. The USGS notes that oceans affect and regulate the Earth’s climate by circulating vital heat and moisture around the globe. That’s why processes like the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean can affect the climate across the planet and not just in Atlantic coastal regions.
Oceans feature incredible biodiversity. The World Wildlife Federation reports that the oceans are home to more than 240,000 known species. But that incredible biodiversity only tells a portion of the story of the world’s oceans, as the WWF notes studies have suggested there are millions of undiscovered species in the deep sea, which remains largely unexplored.
Oceans make human life possible. The WWF notes oceans absorb more than 25 percent of human-induced carbon emissions and store as much heat as Earth’s entire atmosphere, making these bodies of water vital to maintaining human life.
Oceans contain critical minerals that fuel the economy and bolster national security. The USGS defines critical minerals as non-fuel minerals that are essential to economic or national security and have a supply chain that is vulnerable to disruption. The ocean contains 37 of 50 critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, manganese, and titanium. Without this supply, life as humans know it would be vastly different, and considerably less safe and economically secure.
Less than 10 percent of the world’s oceans have been mapped. Sea exploration has existed for millennia, but that doesn’t mean humans know all there is to know about the layout of the world’s oceans. The USGS notes just 10 percent of the world’s oceans have been mapped as of 2025, which leaves a lot more to learn about these vast bodies of water.
