84 Cool Facts About The Ocean [Free Fact Cards]

Get ready to dive into the deep blue and splash around with some amazing facts about the ocean! The ocean is like a whole other world right here on Earth, and it’s full of big mysteries and extraordinary creatures. From the sandy beaches to the darkest depths, there’s always something new to discover. So, grab your flippers, and let’s go on an underwater adventure as we explore these facts about the ocean!

Did you know that the ocean is really big? It covers more than two-thirds of our Earth’s surface. That’s like if you took all the land where we live and multiplied it by two – the ocean is even bigger than that! And it’s not just wide; it’s also really deep. In some places, it’s deeper than the tallest mountains are high!

The ocean is home to many sea creatures. Near the surface, you have animals like playful dolphins and gliding sea turtles. In the middle, colorful fish zip around the coral reefs, which are like underwater gardens. And at the very bottom, in the deep dark, there are creatures that look like they come from outer space!

And guess what else? The ocean is super important for all of us. It helps control the weather and gives us food to eat. Plus, it’s where we get more than half of the air we breathe – thanks to the ocean plants!

Are you ready to sail away and learn more about this big, beautiful ocean of ours? There’s so much to learn about the salty seas and all the life it holds. Let’s make a big splash together and discover the secrets of the ocean with these fun facts about the ocean.

Don’t forget to download your facts about the ocean cards to add to your growing collection of fact cards! Have you grabbed your Interesting Facts About Penguins cards or your  Super Cool Facts About Comets cards? Be sure you do!

Best Facts About the Ocean

1. The ocean floor is moving! 
2. Over 70 percent of our planet’s oxygen is produced by the ocean.
3. People love the beach. In California alone, ocean-seeking tourists spend 75 billion dollars annually.
4. The warmest ocean is the Indian Ocean.
5. The ocean’s future is inextricably linked to the health and well-being of the planet and human societies, highlighting the need for sustainable and responsible management of ocean resources and ecosystems.

6. Coral reefs help to purify ocean water.
7. The ocean’s deep waters are home to a variety of strange and unique creatures, such as the anglerfish and the vampire squid.
8. Drinking seawater in large amounts can be deadly for human beings, as the kidneys cannot handle such high levels of sodium.
9. The sun is what makes the ocean blue.
10. Distances on the ocean are measured in nautical miles, which are about 1.15 times the length of a regular mile.

11. The ocean has an average temperature of 39°F (3.8°C).
12. It is estimated there are more than 3 million shipwrecks on the ocean floor.
13. Marine biologists have so far discovered 17,000 species thriving in the ocean depths, living entirely without sunlight, receiving energy from underwater thermal vents.
14. The ocean has often served as a sort of communal garbage can for human beings. One recent example of this is the dumping of 777,000 tons of water contaminated by radioactive tritium by the Fukushima power plant in Japan in 2017.
15. The deepest part of the ocean is the Marianas Trench, which is over 36,000 feet deep. If Mount Everest were dropped into the trench, its peak would still be over a mile underwater.

16. Less than five percent of the planet’s oceans have been explored.
17. There is enough salt in the ocean to cover the whole surface of the Earth. 
18. Plastic pollution is a significant problem in the ocean, with an estimated 8 million tons of plastic entering the ocean every year.
19. The Atlantic Ocean is about 1/2 the size of the Pacific.
20. Numerous ships and planes have mysteriously disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle.

21. The Titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean.
22. There’s a lot of gold in the ocean, both dissolved in the water and on the sea floor. Unfortunately, there’s no economically feasible way of mining it. If we could, there’d be enough for each person on earth to have nine pounds of pure gold.
23. Ocean pollution reduces oxygen in the water.
24. The Atlantic Ocean has the highest tides. 
25. Ocean tides are caused by gravitational interaction between the sun, moon, and earth.

26. Fourteen percent of the earth’s protein comes from the ocean.
27. Ice found in the ocean is safe enough to drink. You first must let the fresh ice sit to let the brine release. After that, the ice is safe to consume.
28. There are more than 400 species of sharks in the ocean.
29. The world’s longest mountain chain is underwater.
30. USGS studies the ocean in many ways and using many disciplines. 

31. The ocean influences and regulates Earth’s climate, acting like the planet’s ‘heart.’ 
32. The ocean’s sound travels faster and farther than in air, making it an important medium for communication and navigation for marine animals.
33. The ocean’s oil and gas reserves are a major source of energy for human societies but also pose significant environmental risks.
34. The ocean has been used for transportation and trade for thousands of years.
35. The Pacific Basin is called the Ring of Fire.

36. The Indian Ocean is considered to be one of the most dangerous for sailing.
37. The ocean’s pH level is approximately 8.1, making it slightly alkaline.
38. The largest blue whale on record was 108 feet long. That’s as tall as an 11-story building.
39. The longest mountain range in the world is found underwater. Stretching over 56,000km, the Mid-Oceanic Ridge is a mountain chain that runs along the center of the ocean basins.
40. The world’s largest mountain range is (mostly) underwater.

41. Some of the Earth’s smallest animals live in the ocean.
42. The ocean’s waves are created by the wind and can travel thousands of miles before reaching shore.
43. Ocean currents help regulate the climate and carry life-sustaining nutrients.
44. The ocean’s crust is a thin layer of volcanic rock called basalt.
45. The chemical ratio of salt to water in the oceans is fairly consistent across the world, a phenomenon known as “Forchhammer’s Principle,” after the Danish scientist who discovered it.

46. Around 50 percent of the US lies beneath the ocean.
47. The oceans hold about 321 million cubic miles (1.34 billion cubic kilometers) of water, which is roughly 97 percent of Earth’s water supply.
48. The ocean’s canyons make the Grand Canyon seem small.
49. The oceans absorb the sun’s heat, transferring it to the atmosphere and distributing it around the world. 
50. The ocean covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. 

51. We have only explored about 5% of the world’s oceans. There’s a lot more to be discovered!
52. Life in the ocean depends on phytoplankton, mostly microscopic organisms that float at the surface and, through photosynthesis, produce about half of the world’s oxygen. 
53. A single iceberg could supply a million people with drinking water for five years
54. Ninety percent of the earth’s volcanic activity happens in the ocean.
55. The ocean’s sea level rise, caused by melting glaciers and ice sheets and the expansion of seawater as it warms, poses a significant threat to coastal communities and infrastructure.

56. The Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest ocean and contains around 25,000 islands.
57. It also holds about 96.5% of all Earth’s water – that’s a volume of 320 million cubic miles!
58. The Southern Ocean is geologically the youngest ocean.
59. The Southern Ocean was not declared an ocean until very recently. 
60. The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean and the youngest of the five major oceans.

61. The ocean’s carbon cycle, the exchange of carbon dioxide between the ocean and atmosphere, plays an important role in regulating the Earth’s climate.
62.  The Great Barrier Reef covers an area of 350,000 square kilometers.
63. One percent of the ocean is covered in coral reefs.
64. The deepest point of the ocean is almost 40,000 feet!
65. The ocean’s currents can carry pollutants and debris around the world, causing environmental and health problems.

66. The Atlantic Ocean is the first ocean to be crossed by both a ship and an aircraft.
67. The ocean’s rip currents are the biggest danger you face at the beach.
68. Pressure at the bottom of the ocean would crush you like an ant.
69. Water at the bottom of the ocean is incredibly hot.
70. The Pacific Ocean is wider than the moon.

71. There are more historic artifacts under the sea than in all of the world’s museums.
72. Less than 10% of the world’s ocean, and less than 50% of U.S. waters, have been mapped. 
73. Rubber ducks have helped shape our understanding of the ocean currents.
74. Sea level and the amount of water in the ocean change over time. 
75. Ferdinand Magellan named the Pacific Ocean.

76. The Great Lakes aren’t oceans, but they’re similar in many ways.
77. 37 out of 50 critical minerals can be found in the ocean!
78. Sounds can travel to the deepest explored areas of the ocean.
79. The number of species that live in the ocean is unknown.
80. The Dead Sea is almost nine times as salty as the ocean. 

81. It’s possible to find rivers and lakes beneath the ocean.
82. The Pacific Ocean was once considered peaceful.
83. Ocean currents can be warm or cold.
84. Plankton are the foundation of the marine food chain

Do you have even more interesting facts about the Ocean? Share them with us in the comments! Also, don’t forget to grab your free Ocean fact cards to add to your collection!