Oceanography

ocean science · water · marine life · discovery

It studies everything. Oceanography isn't just about fish and whales. Scientists who study the ocean look at the physics of waves and currents, the chemistry of salt water, the biology of sea creatures, and even the geology of the ocean floor.

Four main branches. Physical oceanography studies how water moves and temperature changes. Chemical oceanography looks at what's dissolved in seawater. Biological oceanography examines all the living things. Geological oceanography explores the rocks and sediments under the ocean.

Solving mysteries. Oceanographers help us understand how the ocean affects our weather and climate, where new species live in the deep sea, and how to protect ocean ecosystems from pollution and overfishing.

Modern exploration tools. Today's oceanographers use submarines, underwater robots, satellites, and special equipment to explore places humans can't easily reach, discovering new creatures and understanding the ocean better than ever before.

Most of Earth. The ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet, but we've only explored about 5 percent of it, so oceanographers have endless mysteries to solve.