7 Fascinating Ocean Facts for the Sea-Loving Man

You have seen many ocean shows on the Discovery Channel, and at the end of every episode, you ponder the seemingly endless number of creatures that live in the water. Your mind races with the overwhelming images of what lies beneath the surface. The ocean is full of mystery and the unknown. 

There is still so much to learn about the sea. Only about 5% of the ocean has been explored. To truly understand the realm of possibilities, you must understand some common facts about the sea. This will expand your knowledge and understanding of the ocean’s potential. 

Why Learn About the Ocean?

The ocean is fascinating and mysterious, but there is so much more than what lies beneath the surface. It comprises 70% of Earth and affects the weather, making or breaking the sustainability and growth of all life forms.

Studying and understanding the ocean can clarify what happened to past civilizations and life forms. You can appreciate its impact on all living things. Through absorbing solar radiation and releasing heat, the sea can influence the Earth’s climate by producing rainfall and driving climate change. 

You can enhance your knowledge by learning about ocean surface typography, which is a form of study NASA utilizes to track the sea’s impact on weather and climate. Understanding currents and heat storage can simplify this concept and give you a well-rounded outlook on the ocean’s impact on civilization. 

Basic Ocean Facts

Whether you remember fourth-grade science class or watch every ocean show possible, there’s always more to learn about this vast body of water. These lessons might have touched on how many oceans there are or explained that an incoming high tide is best for saltwater fishing. However, there’s much more to learn about the ocean’s complexity. 

1. How Far Can You See Across the Ocean?

Many factors hinder your ability to see across the ocean, such as height, which affects how far someone can see into the horizon on a perfect day. However, it is common for most to see around three miles away while standing offshore.  

Clear weather allows you to see the furthest distance when looking at the horizon. Weather, including haze, rain, fog and snow, can hinder your ability to see longer. Other factors, including time of day, water and air temperature, and wind speeds, can also affect your vision. 

2. How Deep Is the Ocean?

The sea has various depths and is not uniform, even close to shore. In 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimated that the ocean’s average depth is 12,080 feet. However, this may be lower today due to the changing sea floor. 

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean, measuring 35,876 feet deep. This area is in the Pacific Ocean and continues changing as tectonic plates separate over time.

3. Does the Ocean Freeze?

Lakes, ponds and pools freeze, but does the ocean? Many believe that due to the salt in the water and the waves’ movement, the sea cannot freeze. However, it does. Roughly 15% of the ocean can freeze during specific times of year. 

Ocean water can freeze at 28 F, 10 degrees lower than its average temperature. The ice contains little salt because it is only partially frozen. If you ever find yourself stranded in the frozen sea, you can melt the ice for drinking water.

Questions About the Ocean

You likely have many questions about the ocean. It covers most of the Earth’s surface, leaving much room for learning. 

1. What Is Sea Smoke?

You may take an early morning walk when visiting the beach with your friends and family. As you look out on the ocean, you see fog hovering over the water. This is actually sea smoke. 

Sea smoke is created when a cold air mass drifts over warm water. It is not limited to the ocean but can also occur with other bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers. Autumn is the most common time for sea smoke, as the water is still warm from the summer months while the air temperature has begun to drop. 

2. How Fast Is the Ocean Rising?

Sea levels are increasing due to global warming. NASA monitors the change through its satellite data, reporting that it has increased from 0.1 to 0.13 inches since 1993. NASA’s Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite, along with other equipment, can monitor this rate closely for precise readings. 

Questions About Boats

Many sea enthusiasts also find interest and joy in boats and boating experiences. This knowledge goes hand-in-hand with learning about the sea. 

1. Can You Live on a Boat?

Forrest Gump made living on a boat look like a freeing experience filled with self-reflection, but is it possible to live on one full time?

It’s a possibility for many boat owners. However, deciding to live on the sea takes tons of preparation, including food supplies, safety equipment and other essential items.

Boat living does not necessarily mean you need to move out to sea. Most live in their vessels on a dock or marina. Most marinas require an application to stay there permanently. Some places have lengthy waiting lists or will not authorize permanent residence. 

Living on a boat requires drastic downsizing and preparation for constant sun exposure. Be sure to have preventive and healing sun care for all areas, even your lips, to protect their thin skin while living on the water. 

2. How Far Away Can You See a Ship at Sea?

Seeing the horizon depends on weather conditions and height. However, the distance you can see from a ship is drastically different from just standing on the shore. 

The average person can see three miles out on the horizon when standing on land. When standing on a ship or boat, the average distance you can see is 12 miles offshore due to the height of the vessel and its position on the water. 

Most sea captains will verify that 12 miles can be seen from any boat as a safety precaution for spotting other vessels. Interestingly enough, international waters are 12 miles from shore, which is believed to correlate with the distance that can be seen when perfect weather conditions are present. 

The Sea-Loving Man and His Ocean

You may know abundant ocean facts and information, but there is still much to learn and experience. Whether you want to live life on the marina, map the rise of the ocean or experience sea smoke, facts help establish a better frame of reference. 

Expanding your knowledge about the ocean can provide an overall understanding of how the world and civilizations work. It’s fascinating to learn about the mysteries that lurk in the sea’s shadows, but learning about the science and capabilities will provide insight into the Earth’s future and what caused major societal downfalls in the past. 

There is still so much to learn about the ocean and how it affects the world. Expand your knowledge and uncover the mysteries of this massive body of water, fact by fact.