oceans

A couple of small white boats on a hazy day out in the ocean with the coastline in the background.

Marine Spatial Planning Index

Mark Altaweel

The goal of marine spatial planning (MSP) is to balance ocean space use and environmental protection.

A girl with a white sweatshirt and black leggings dances in the shallow water of the beach by the ocean. Her back is to the camera and the sun is shining with a clear blue sky.

Oceans Produce Half of the World’s Oxygen

Caitlin Dempsey

The oceans produce over half of the oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, making them a vital source of oxygen for life on our planet.

Map showing the Isthmus of Panama with the land areas in yellow and the ocean in blue.

Visual Geography: the Shape of Land Near the Oceans

Caitlin Dempsey

A visual dictionary of geography words that describe the shapes of land near ocean water.

Map showing the world's ocean gyres. Source: NOAA.

How Ocean Currents Move Pollution Around the World

Katarina Samurović

How does pollution from plastic, trash, and oil spills move around Earth's oceans?

A father and daughter look out at the Pacific Ocean.

How Much Would the Ocean Rise if Everyone Sat in it?

Geo Contributor

If everyone in the world decided to sit in the ocean all at once, how much would the sea level rise?

Geography Facts About the Pacific Ocean

Caitlin Dempsey

Learn some geography facts about the world's largest ocean.

How Much Carbon Dioxide are the Oceans Absorbing?

Elizabeth Borneman

New research shows that the world's oceans, which cover 70% of the planet, absorb more carbon dioxide than previously thought.

A map showing marina protected areas with labels in Northern California.

Negotiations Underway at United Nations for Marine Protected Areas

A.J. Rohn

The United Nations is currently developing regulations for ocean waters beyond national boundaries and exclusive economic zones, extending beyond 200 miles.

Atlantic Ocean sunrise as seen from a Florida beach. Photo: Randolph Femmer, USGS. Public domain

Who Owns the Oceans?

Elizabeth Borneman

This article explores some of the international convention on jurisdiction over oceans.

Concentrations of marine debris known as the Ocean Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Ocean. Map: NOAA.

Ocean Garbage Patches

Elizabeth Borneman

Ocean garbage patches are concentrations of marine debris located in the North Pacific Ocean. These garbage patches are comprised of ...

Underwater Global Warming

Rebecca Maxwell

Scientists are using satellites and remote sensing to better understand changes in sea-surface temperatures.