The ocean covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface and contains 97% of the planet’s water. This vast, critical reservoir supports a abundance of life and helps regulate Earth’s climate.

Explore how the ocean shapes life on Earth. It sustains us, surprises us, and holds mysteries we're only beginning to understand. Dive into key topics here.

Jan 24, 2023 · Ocean acidification is a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused primarily by an increase of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Without the ocean, life as we know it wouldn't be possible. There are a number of key reasons why. First, the ocean is the largest source of oxygen on Earth. According to scientists, …

Discover the Ocean Learning Hub—your gateway to trusted ocean science content. Easily explore by topic, media type, grade level, and educational standards.

3 days ago · Hundreds of millions of years before oxygen surged in the atmosphere 2.4 billion years ago, swaths of oxygen winked in and out of existence in the ocean.

State of the Ocean (SOTO) is a suite of tools presented through an interactive, web-based visualization front end. It provides access to a broad range of satellite-derived products with …

Why is the ocean blue? People have wondered this for hundreds of years. One idea is that it reflects the sky. And it does-on the surface. From the coast, it may appear a deep blue on a …

Oct 16, 2025 · Understanding how the ocean works is foundational to understanding life on this planet and to the discipline of oceanography. Get to know the big systems of the ocean: its …

Jul 1, 2025 · At the surface and beneath, currents, gyres and eddies physically shape the coasts and ocean bottom, and transport and mix energy, chemicals, within and among ocean basins.