U.S. flag An official website of the United States government.
				Here's how you know we're official. **Official websites use .gov** A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure websites use HTTPS** A small lock or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to a .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Toggle navigation Toggle search National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 Search
					Search National Ocean Service


Home
				Ocean Facts

				Topics
					Explore All Topics 
                        Arctic 
                        Careers 
                        Economy 
                        Ecosystems 
                        Geodesy 
                        Hazards 
                        International
                        Navigation 
                        Observations 
                        Ocean 
                        Recreation 
                         Sea Level Rise 
                        Story Maps 
                        Tools
                
                			Education

				
				News
				Podcasts
				Video
				Images
				About Us


1. Home
2. Ocean Facts

Ocean and Coastal Places: What is a barrier island? What are coquina and tabby? What is a tide pool? What is an archipelago? What is a lagoon? What is a ghost forest? Where is Earth’s Largest Waterfall? What are the Totten Beacons? How does sea ice affect global climate? What are beach advisories and beach closures? What is the highest point on Earth as measured from Earth's center? What is a living shoreline? What is a pocosin? What is the Great Loop? What is a wetland? What is an anchialine pool? Where is Point Nemo? How big is the Atlantic Ocean? What is the Sargasso Sea? How did the Pacific Ocean get its name? Do the Great Lakes have tides? What is a marine national monument? What threats do seabirds face? What ocean basin has the most corals? Where is the largest estuary in the United States? How do sanctuaries protect marine life? What is the Bermuda Triangle? What is the smallest ocean? Where is the largest protected area in the National Marine Sanctuary system? What is maritime heritage? What was the first national marine sanctuary to be designated? What is a national marine sanctuary? What is the largest ocean basin on Earth? Where are marine protected areas located? What is a mangrove forest? Is change important to estuaries? What percentage of marine areas are protected? What is coastal zone management? Do volcanoes occur in the ocean? Where is the highest tide? What is a marine protected area? What percentage of the American population lives near the coast? What is the longest mountain range on earth?
 Browse Ocean Facts  By Category Ocean Basics Ocean Life Ocean Economy Ocean Ecosystems Health & Safety Maritime Transportation Positioning and Geology Ocean Technology Tides and Currents Ocean Observations Ocean and Coastal Places Ocean and Coastal Science     **Search** Our Stories    Get **Social**


Feedback Provide Feedback
							Contact Us
							Report an error
 Social Instagram Logo/a>


*Science. Service.Stewardship.*
 About NOS About Us
							NOS Program Offices
							Media Inquiries
							Website Acknowledgements
                            Site Index
							Disclaimer
 More Resources Freedom of Information Act
							Accessibility
							Information Quality
							Privacy Policy
							NOS For Employees
							USA.gov
 Department of Commerce
									National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
									National Ocean Service