## Breadcrumb

-  Science 
-  Science Explorer 
-  Ocean 

# Ocean 101

Whether you live near the water or not, the ocean influences all our lives in numerous ways. The properties and processes of our ocean basins can influence our climate, pose natural hazards risk, and produce valuable resources from food to minerals.

                  -              Overview           
                  -              News           
                  -              FAQ           

The USGS conducts ocean science, all the way from terrestrial watersheds out to the deep sea. Understanding this interconnectedness requires greater knowledge of the processes occurring within and across these ecosystems. The USGS is uniquely positioned to be able to answer fundamental questions about these Earth systems, how they interact, and how they might change in the future. 

Let’s get familiar with the ocean’s geologic features before you dive into our research and tools.  

View Media Details

*Learn more about USGS research by exploring our Ocean Topics. *

### Ocean Regions

Our coasts, the most familiar part of the ocean, are the gateway to the larger deeper ocean. The USGS studies processes and hazards in the coastal zone and how they affect people, wildlife, and ecosystems. Coastal areas extend seaward across the continental shelf, where ocean currents move, creating and connecting many ecologically and economically important ecosystems and habitats. These include seagrass beds, coral reefs, and kelp forests.  Beyond the coast, the USGS is involved in mapping all realms of the ocean. These include the boundary between the shelf and the continental slope—often carved by submarine canyons—and out to the continental rise and abyssal plain of the deep ocean. 

### Expertise and Discovery

The USGS brings expertise to mapping the shelf-slope boundary which includes characterizing and defining the boundaries of specific features so that we can better protect, manage, and use the seabed resources that occur there. These shelf and slope areas are of great interest for determining the presence and threats of marine geohazards, such as submarine landslides that can trigger tsunamis. They also include unique chemistry associated with hydrothermal vents and gas hydrates that support unique ecosystems. 

Ocean sediments and nutrients flow off the shelf from coastal areas into the deep sea. Mapping and exploring these processes, along shelf areas and in submarine canyons expands our understanding about the biological and geological connections between our coasts and diverse deep sea life like deep-water corals, sponges, crustaceans, and unique microbial communities. Within the deep sea, we explore diverse geological features to discover what types of life, minerals, and hazards dwell in these unique and remote areas of our planet. Here the USGS studies mid-ocean ridges, trenches and the active geochemical activity to better understand tectonic plate movement at subduction zones as well as to understand their ecological significance in the deep ocean ecosystem.

Beyond the continental rise, the abyssal plain sprawls across deep ocean floor and gives rise to seamounts and plateaus of various geological origin that can reach 2000 meters or more above the surrounding seafloor. Within the plains, the ocean floor is composed of oceanic crust, known as basalt. As tectonic plates spread apart, molten magma rises up into the ocean floor, forming a mid-ocean ridge, which is part of the active tectonic processes that are shaping our planet. At these geologically active sites, hydrothermal fluids vent hot mineralogic material into the ocean water. This activity forms deep sea mineral deposits and supports chemosynthetic life forms and related ecosystems. In these areas, important discoveries about our planet and the life forms that live in these remote areas are still being made.

Now that you know your way around the ocean, read some Fun Facts and learn more about USGS research by exploring our Ocean Topics. 

### Fun Facts

View Media Details

## News

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Ocean

June 24, 2022

####   Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Ocean

Take a deep dive into USGS ocean science

June 3, 2022

####   Take a deep dive into USGS ocean science

Why the Ocean?

June 29, 2021

####   Why the Ocean?

View All

Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Ocean

June 24, 2022

####   Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Ocean

For ocean month, let’s explore some fun facts you might not know about the ocean!

Read Article

Take a deep dive into USGS ocean science

June 3, 2022

####   Take a deep dive into USGS ocean science

USGS makes a splash with a series of new web pages to guide you through the depth of ocean science research here at the U.S. Geological Survey-...

Read Article

Why the Ocean?

June 29, 2021

####   Why the Ocean?

To celebrate Ocean Month 2021, we asked staff from across the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program why they study the ocean, why they...

Read Article

June is National Ocean Month!

June 16, 2021

####   June is National Ocean Month!

Discover the breadth of USGS ocean and coastal research.

Read Article

Why the Ocean?

November 30, 2020

####   Why the Ocean?

USGS scientists share brief thoughts about why they have focused their careers on studying our oceans and coasts. Here’s why they study the ocean:

Read Article

Celebrate the Ocean! June is Ocean Month

June 2, 2020

####   Celebrate the Ocean! June is Ocean Month

Nearly two-thirds of our planet is covered by water with more than 120 million Americans living near an ocean or Great Lake. Celebrate Ocean Month and...

Read Article

link

####                 Why is the ocean salty?              

Oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earth's surface and about 97 percent of all water on and in the Earth is saline —there's a lot of salty water on our planet. By some estimates, if the salt in the ocean could be removed and spread evenly over the Earth’s land surface it would form a layer more than 500 feet (166 meters) thick, about the height of a 40-story office building. But, where did all...

link

####   Why is the ocean salty?

Oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earth's surface and about 97 percent of all water on and in the Earth is saline —there's a lot of salty water on our planet. By some estimates, if the salt in the ocean could be removed and spread evenly over the Earth’s land surface it would form a layer more than 500 feet (166 meters) thick, about the height of a 40-story office building. But, where did all...

Learn More

link

####                 Where can I get current sea-surface temperature data?              

The USGS has studied sea-surface temperature in many areas around the globe; you can find publications from these studies i n the USGS Publications Warehouse and by searching on the Internet. World maps and data are available from other agencies, particularly at the NOAA's Sea Surface Temperature , and at the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center . For specific data covering...

link

####   Where can I get current sea-surface temperature data?

The USGS has studied sea-surface temperature in many areas around the globe; you can find publications from these studies i n the USGS Publications Warehouse and by searching on the Internet. World maps and data are available from other agencies, particularly at the NOAA's Sea Surface Temperature , and at the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center . For specific data covering...

Learn More

                  - Overview  
The USGS conducts ocean science, all the way from terrestrial watersheds out to the deep sea. Understanding this interconnectedness requires greater knowledge of the processes occurring within and across these ecosystems. The USGS is uniquely positioned to be able to answer fundamental questions about these Earth systems, how they interact, and how they might change in the future. 

Let’s get familiar with the ocean’s geologic features before you dive into our research and tools.  
        Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details*Learn more about USGS research by exploring our Ocean Topics. *Ocean Regions
Our coasts, the most familiar part of the ocean, are the gateway to the larger deeper ocean. The USGS studies processes and hazards in the coastal zone and how they affect people, wildlife, and ecosystems. Coastal areas extend seaward across the continental shelf, where ocean currents move, creating and connecting many ecologically and economically important ecosystems and habitats. These include seagrass beds, coral reefs, and kelp forests.  Beyond the coast, the USGS is involved in mapping all realms of the ocean. These include the boundary between the shelf and the continental slope—often carved by submarine canyons—and out to the continental rise and abyssal plain of the deep ocean. 
Expertise and Discovery
The USGS brings expertise to mapping the shelf-slope boundary which includes characterizing and defining the boundaries of specific features so that we can better protect, manage, and use the seabed resources that occur there. These shelf and slope areas are of great interest for determining the presence and threats of marine geohazards, such as submarine landslides that can trigger tsunamis. They also include unique chemistry associated with hydrothermal vents and gas hydrates that support unique ecosystems. 

Ocean sediments and nutrients flow off the shelf from coastal areas into the deep sea. Mapping and exploring these processes, along shelf areas and in submarine canyons expands our understanding about the biological and geological connections between our coasts and diverse deep sea life like deep-water corals, sponges, crustaceans, and unique microbial communities. Within the deep sea, we explore diverse geological features to discover what types of life, minerals, and hazards dwell in these unique and remote areas of our planet. Here the USGS studies mid-ocean ridges, trenches and the active geochemical activity to better understand tectonic plate movement at subduction zones as well as to understand their ecological significance in the deep ocean ecosystem.

Beyond the continental rise, the abyssal plain sprawls across deep ocean floor and gives rise to seamounts and plateaus of various geological origin that can reach 2000 meters or more above the surrounding seafloor. Within the plains, the ocean floor is composed of oceanic crust, known as basalt. As tectonic plates spread apart, molten magma rises up into the ocean floor, forming a mid-ocean ridge, which is part of the active tectonic processes that are shaping our planet. At these geologically active sites, hydrothermal fluids vent hot mineralogic material into the ocean water. This activity forms deep sea mineral deposits and supports chemosynthetic life forms and related ecosystems. In these areas, important discoveries about our planet and the life forms that live in these remote areas are still being made.

Now that you know your way around the ocean, read some Fun Facts and learn more about USGS research by exploring our Ocean Topics. 
Fun Facts        Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsFun facts about the ocean.NewsTop 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the OceanJune 24, 2022  Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the OceanTake a deep dive into USGS ocean scienceJune 3, 2022  Take a deep dive into USGS ocean scienceWhy the Ocean?June 29, 2021  Why the Ocean?View All 
                  - News  LabelTop 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the OceanJune 24, 2022  Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Ocean
For ocean month, let’s explore some fun facts you might not know about the ocean!
Read Article**Take a deep dive into USGS ocean scienceJune 3, 2022  Take a deep dive into USGS ocean science
USGS makes a splash with a series of new web pages to guide you through the depth of ocean science research here at the U.S. Geological Survey-...
Read Article**Why the Ocean?June 29, 2021  Why the Ocean?
To celebrate Ocean Month 2021, we asked staff from across the USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program why they study the ocean, why they...
Read Article**June is National Ocean Month!June 16, 2021  June is National Ocean Month!
Discover the breadth of USGS ocean and coastal research.
Read Article**Why the Ocean?November 30, 2020  Why the Ocean?
USGS scientists share brief thoughts about why they have focused their careers on studying our oceans and coasts. Here’s why they study the ocean:
Read Article**Celebrate the Ocean! June is Ocean MonthJune 2, 2020  Celebrate the Ocean! June is Ocean Month
Nearly two-thirds of our planet is covered by water with more than 120 million Americans living near an ocean or Great Lake. Celebrate Ocean Month and...
Read Article** 
                  - FAQ  Labellink                Why is the ocean salty?              
Oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earth's surface and about 97 percent of all water on and in the Earth is saline —there's a lot of salty water on our planet. By some estimates, if the salt in the ocean could be removed and spread evenly over the Earth’s land surface it would form a layer more than 500 feet (166 meters) thick, about the height of a 40-story office building. But, where did all...
link  Why is the ocean salty?
Oceans cover about 70 percent of the Earth's surface and about 97 percent of all water on and in the Earth is saline —there's a lot of salty water on our planet. By some estimates, if the salt in the ocean could be removed and spread evenly over the Earth’s land surface it would form a layer more than 500 feet (166 meters) thick, about the height of a 40-story office building. But, where did all...
Learn More**link                Where can I get current sea-surface temperature data?              
The USGS has studied sea-surface temperature in many areas around the globe; you can find publications from these studies i n the USGS Publications Warehouse and by searching on the Internet. World maps and data are available from other agencies, particularly at the NOAA's Sea Surface Temperature , and at the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center . For specific data covering...
link  Where can I get current sea-surface temperature data?
The USGS has studied sea-surface temperature in many areas around the globe; you can find publications from these studies i n the USGS Publications Warehouse and by searching on the Internet. World maps and data are available from other agencies, particularly at the NOAA's Sea Surface Temperature , and at the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center . For specific data covering...
Learn More**