“Earth is a unique planet, possibly one of the few in the galaxy that has water. Nearly 71% of it’s surface is ocean. From space, Earth is brilliantly blue, white in places with clouds and ice, sometimes swirling with storms. At it’s surface the ocean is in constant motion with powerful currents that stretch for thousands of miles and towering waves. Beneath the ocean’s surface lie hidden mountain ranges, vast trenches tens of thousands of feet deep, immense hot springs, and huge volcanoes spewing molten rock in massive eruptions.”. | GEO/OC 103 Exploring the Deep . Today’s Tune “Pirates of the Caribbean” Registration Problems? Please see. Melinda Jensen Geosciences Departmental Office 104 Wilkinson Hall 737-1238 “Water World” “Earth is a unique planet, possibly one of the few in the galaxy that has water. Nearly 71% of it’s surface is ocean. From space, Earth is brilliantly blue, white in places with clouds and ice, sometimes swirling with storms. At it’s surface the ocean is in constant motion with powerful currents that stretch for thousands of miles and towering waves. Beneath the ocean’s surface lie hidden mountain ranges, vast trenches tens of thousands of feet deep, immense hot springs, and huge volcanoes spewing molten rock in massive eruptions.” -- T. Garrison Chapter 1 “Just the Facts ” Over 97% of the water on the Earth is in the ocean. The average depth of the ocean is about 4000 meters. The Mariana Trench is 11,022 m deep, the deepest spot on the planet. 8 tons per sq. in. Mt. Everest is “only” ~8667 m above sea level “Just the Facts ” Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii, measures ~10,600 m from the ocean floor, making it the tallest mountain on the planet (surpassing even Mt. Everest). If the Earth’s land surface was leveled to a smooth ball, the ocean would cover it to a depth of 2686 m. “Just the Facts ” The ocean contains some 5 trillion tons of salts If dried and spread evenly, that mass would cover the entire planet to a depth of 45 m. On a planetary scale the ocean is insignificant. Its average depth is a tiny fraction of the Earth’s radius. Why Study the Ocean? Major influence on weather and climate Source of food, energy, medical drugs Transportation Military significance Recreational resource Major influence on the health of the planet Culture and history Historical Review of Oceanography Roots traced to ocean exploration. Describing the oceans Historical Review of Oceanography The 18th century was marked by Improvements in navigation | GEO/OC 103 Exploring the Deep . Today’s Tune “Pirates of the Caribbean” Registration Problems? Please see. Melinda Jensen Geosciences Departmental Office 104 Wilkinson Hall 737-1238 “Water World” “Earth is a unique planet, possibly one of the few in the galaxy that has water. Nearly 71% of it’s surface is ocean. From space, Earth is brilliantly blue, white in places with clouds and ice, sometimes swirling with storms. At it’s surface the ocean is in constant motion with powerful currents that stretch for thousands of miles and towering waves. Beneath the ocean’s surface lie hidden mountain ranges, vast trenches tens of thousands of feet deep, immense hot springs, and huge volcanoes spewing molten rock in massive eruptions.” -- T. Garrison Chapter 1 “Just the Facts ” Over 97% of the water on the Earth is in the ocean. The average depth of the ocean is about 4000 meters. The Mariana Trench is 11,022 m deep, the deepest spot on the planet. 8 tons per .
