The Oceans

The Oceans: awareness and discovery

71% of our planet is water.
The Global Ocean, which encompasses all seas and oceans, holds about 97% of the Earth’s water, and is divided into our five oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic (or Southern). They play a key role in regulating the climate, the carbon cycle, and life itself.
Our oceans form one of the main biodiversity reserves in the World. Protecting and caring for them is essential, as they keep our planet healthy, and provide humans and a multitude of species with the capacity to be prosperous. They are essential for our survival and wellbeing.
We know about 250000 species out of all of the ones which exist in The Big Blue. Marine biodiversity is key to sustainable development, and being able to go and explore the underwater world is a luxury that we need to consciously and intentionally value and take care of.

How to learn more about them?

To learn more about the oceans and their life, it is useful to approach oceanography, the science that studies not only their structure, composition, and dynamics, but also their physical processes (currents, tides…), geological processes (sedimentation, seafloor spreading…), and biological processes. It is also known as Marine Science (which is a university degree) or Oceanic Sciences.

Its name comes from Greek, as the combination of okeanós (“ocean”) and graphein (“to describe”). First coined in 1584, it was adopted in various languages during the 19th century, and although there were other variants, such as oceanology, it was oceanography that became established.

If you are very interested in the oceans but perhaps do not want to pursue a university degree, here are some #funfacts or curiosities about the five oceans, and below are some links to learn more about the oceans through recreational diving or SCUBA.

0°N 30°W
The Atlantic Ocean is located between Europe+Africa and the Americas.
It is the second largest ocean in the world, with:

~ 85.1-106.5 million km² of surface,
~ 323-355 million km³ of volume, and
- about 111 866 km of coastline.

The terrestrial Equator divides it into the North Atlantic and South Atlantic.

Its deepest point is in the Puerto Rico Trench, at about -8,380 m.

It influences global climate and has been key in history, trade, and global geostrategy.

0°N 160°W
The Pacific Ocean is located between the Americas and Asia+Oceania.
It is the largest ocean in the world, with:

~ 155-166 million km² of surface,
~ 660-710 million km³ of volume,
- about 135 000 km of coastline.

Its deepest point is in the Mariana Trench, which is in turn the lowest point on the Earth’s crust surface. The Trench reaches about -11,034 m.

It has a huge influence on global climate and is a zone of high seismic and volcanic activity. Interestingly, and in contrast to its name, this activity and the frequent typhoons in the region create strong waves in different parts of the ocean. Ironically, when Ferdinand Magellan (during the Magellan–Elcano Expedition, in the service of the Spanish Crown) gave it the name “Pacific,” it was because for most of his voyage after crossing the Strait of Magellan, he encountered calm waters.

It connects with the Atlantic Ocean through natural passages at the southern tip of the Americas: the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and the Drake Passage; as well as an artificial connection: the Panama Canal.

20°S 80°E
The Indian Ocean is located between Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
It is the third largest ocean in the world, with:

~ 68.5-70 million km² of surface,
~ 264-292 million km³ of volume, and
- about 66 526 km of coastline.

Its deepest point is in the Java Trench, at about -7,258 m.
This trench, also known as the Sunda Trench, lies south of the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia, and is an underwater geological feature which forms part of the “great Sunda subduction arc” where the region’s strong earthquakes and tsunamis originate.

The Indian Ocean, named after India, is a key strategic route connecting Asia and Africa. It has a long history of conflicts and colonial domination (mainly under the British) dating back to the 19th century.

79°08′19″N 3°14′20″W
The Arctic Ocean is located at the northernmost part of the planet, between North America, Europe, and Asia.
It is the smallest and shallowest of the oceans, with:

~ 14-16 million km² of surface,
- about 45 389 km of coastline, and
- variable volume* (see below)

Its deepest point is the Molloy Deep, at about -5,607 m.

The Arctic Ocean plays a crucial role in global climate. It is highly sensitive to global warming and polar ice melt, which is opening new shipping routes and increasing geostrategic interest in the region.

*

Why is the volume of the Arctic Ocean not listed?
Many oceanographic sources do not provide a volume for the Arctic Ocean for several reasons:

  • Measurement challenges: The Arctic is covered by sea ice most of the year, and its boundary with the Atlantic Ocean (through seas such as the Norwegian or Barents Sea) is not clearly defined. This makes exact volume calculations difficult.

  • Seasonal variability: Ice thickness and effective depth change throughout the year. In summer, melting increases open water; in winter, ice coverage reduces it.

  • Small contribution to global ocean volume: The Arctic represents less than 3% of the world ocean’s total volume, so many summaries omit it.

Scientific estimates, such as those from NOAA and the National Geographic Society, put its volume at around 18–20 million km³.

65°S 90°E
The Antarctic Ocean (also called Southern, Austral, or Meridional Ocean) surrounds Antarctica and is bounded by the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.
It is the fourth-largest (or second-smallest) ocean in terms of area, with:

~ 20-22 million km² of surface,
- about 17 968 km of coastline, and
- variable volume* (see the Arctic Ocean for reference), estimated at about 71.8 million km³*

Its deepest point is the South Sandwich Trench (or Meteor Trench), at around -8,264 m. The trench lies about 100 km east of the South Sandwich Islands.

#funfact :
From an "official" or cartographic perspective, this is the “newest” ocean, as it was only formally recognized as the fifth ocean in 2021.
First, the International Hydrographic Organization defined its extent and existence in 2000 (Antarctic Treaty), and on June 8, 2021 (World Oceans Day), the National Geographic Society made it internationally "official".

Second #funfact :
The Southern Ocean has a unique ecosystem that sets it apart from all other oceans. It is defined by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the largest and most powerful current on Earth.
This current completely circles Antarctica, flowing continuously from west to east. It also connects the waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, making the Southern Ocean a key point in global ocean circulation.
It transports huge amounts of cold water and nutrients, supporting a highly productive marine ecosystem with species such as Antarctic krill, whales, penguins, and seals.
The current also thermally isolates Antarctica, helping maintain its extremely cold climate.
Because of this, oceanographers and climatologists consider the Southern Ocean to have its own distinct identity, different from the other oceans not only in geography, but also in ocean dynamics, water chemistry, and biodiversity.

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Remember that if you want to learn more, diving courses also cover a small part of oceanography in a practical way. Divers learn basic concepts about ocean currents, tides, visibility, water temperature, and underwater ecosystems—essential knowledge for diving safely and better understanding the marine environment.

Additionally, you can deepen your knowledge through experiences such as a Discover Scuba Diving session, an Intro to Snorkeling, or courses like SSI’s Science of Diving, which includes a specific module called Scuba Oceanography. This module covers waves, tides, and currents, and their impact on dive planning.

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