10 Surprising Facts About Earth You Might Not Know - Oceana Canada
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10 Surprising Facts About Earth You Might Not Know

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What if some of the most important facts about earth weren’t about land at all, but about the ocean? 

Covering more than 70% of the planet, the ocean quietly powers life on Earth. It produces oxygen, helps regulate the climate, and is home to millions of species. Yet despite its importance, the ocean faces growing threats from plastic pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss.

This Earth Day, here are 10 surprising facts about the ocean on planet Earth. They reveal what’s really happening beneath the surface.

More than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored 

We know more about space than we do about our own ocean, and protecting it is harder when so much remains unknown. But that hasn’t stopped scientists from working to better understand ocean life. For example, Oceana Canada recently completed a 21-day expedition to explore sea canyons in the Southern Newfoundland Slope.

Most ocean species are unidentified 

Given the vast size of the ocean, it is impossible to know exactly how many species live there. Scientists estimate that more than 90% of marine species are still unclassified, meaning we’ve only scratched the surface of ocean life.

The ocean helps regulate Earth’s climate 

The ocean absorbs and stores heat, helping to stabilize temperatures on the planet.

Plastic pollution lasts for centuries 

Plastic is often used for minutes, but it can remain in the environment for hundreds of years, harming marine life and ecosystems. Learn more about Oceana Canada’s campaign to stop plastic at the source.

The ocean economy supports billions of people 

The ocean contributes more than $2.5 trillion to the global economy each year, supporting livelihoods around the world. Industries such as fishing and tourism provide jobs and sustain coastal communities.

Canada has the longest coastline in the world

Canada’s coastline connects to the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Ocean. This makes ocean protection especially important for Canada.

The ocean floor is not flat 

The ocean floor is not flat. It includes valleys, mountains, and trenches that reach deeper than Mount Everest is tall! The deepest point in the ocean measures 10,935 meters (35,876 feet).

Lakes are not only found on land but at the bottom of the ocean 

Lakes are not found only on land. In the deep sea, brine pools form underwater “lakes” made of extremely salty water that is denser and heavier than the surrounding seawater.

The ocean holds about 97% of Earth’s water 

Almost all of the planet’s water is found in the ocean. The remaining 3% exists in glaciers and ice, underground, in rivers and lakes, and in the atmosphere.

Human activity is driving marine species decline   

Pollution, overfishing, and lost fishing gear are harming marine animals and increasing extinction risk. Support efforts to reduce harmful fishing gear and protect critically endangered species such as North Atlantic right whales.