Ocean

These ocean pictures will be larger if you click on their landform. Doing so will keep you on this page but make the picture larger.

The ocean has 2 main characteristics

1. Large body of salt water

2. Covers 3/4 of the earth’s surface

Examples of Ocean Landforms:

Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Southern and Indian Oceans

What is an Ocean?

An ocean is not actually a landform but it is made up of 5 bodies of water that cover 71% of the Earth. The water is also made out of saline (salt).   The ocean does, however, contain many different types of landforms such as an ocean trench, abyss, guyot and mid ocean ranges.

There use to be only 4 oceans but the Southern or Antarctic  Ocean near Antarctica was big enough and different enough to be considered an ocean.  The water is very cold in this area.  All the water is below 60 degrees.

All 5 of the oceans are considered famous oceans.  It will all depend on what part of the world you live on to consider what ocean is famous to you.  The least famous is the Southern or Antarctic Ocean as it was named as an ocean in 2000 by the scientific community.

How were the Oceans Created?

The Oceans were created billions of years ago after the Earth was formed and started to cool.  The gases mixed just right to form water and a lot of it.  The ocean helped develop the first micro life on Earth.

Definition of an Ocean

One of the 5 largest bodies of water on Earth that also contain saline (salt).