If you guessed we’re talking about the ocean, you’d be right. It covers 71% of the Earth’s surface and holds about 97% of the planet's water.
While there's one global ocean, it's often divided into five major basins: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern (or Antarctic) Oceans. The global ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting a vast array of life, and providing a large amount of the planet's oxygen.
And although mankind has made significant strides in oceanography, the overwhelming fact is we know surprisingly little about the ocean, especially its depths.
Here’s some of what we do not know:
- The Deep Ocean — Over 80% of the ocean remains unexplored and unseen by humans. The deep sea, in particular, is a vast frontier with immense pressure, darkness, and extreme temperatures
- Biodiversity — Scientists estimate that over 90% of marine species have yet to be identified and classified
- Deep-Sea Ecosystems — We have limited knowledge of how life functions in the extreme environments of the deep sea, including hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, and the abyssal plains
- The Seafloor — Only a small percentage of the ocean floor has been mapped in high resolution
- Ocean Currents and Mixing — While scientists understand major currents, the smaller-scale mixing processes in the ocean, which are crucial for nutrient distribution and climate regulation, still require study
- Impact of Human Activities — We know pollution, overfishing, and climate change are impacting the ocean, but the full extent and long-term consequences require further research
- Potential for Resources and Medicines — The ocean holds immense potential for undiscovered resources, including minerals and compounds with medicinal properties
It's said that we know more about the surface of the Moon and Mars than we do about our own ocean floor. Why is that?
- Vastness — The sheer size and depth of the ocean make exploration incredibly challenging and expensive
- Pressure — The immense pressure in the deep sea requires specialized equipment and submersibles
- Darkness — The lack of sunlight in the deep ocean makes visual exploration difficult
- Technology Limitations — While our technology is constantly advancing, exploring the deep ocean still presents significant engineering hurdles
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Your action prompt is to do some research about a waterway near you and visit it. While there, take note of the types of animal life that depend on it. Listen to the sounds on the shore. Breathe in deeply (unless you’re by a swamp). Perhaps even take the time to sketch the beauty of the scene.
By all means, if you see any trash, please pick it up and dispose of it! it's the least we can do for the 71%.