Hey there, ocean lovers! It is that time of year when we gather our flippers, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure to celebrate the vast and inspiring wonders of our planet’s amazing oceans. That is right, it is World Oceans Day! So, grab your virtual snorkel and prepare for a dive into a fun-filled blog that will tell you a splash of facts about the oceans:
- The ocean is home to the longest mountain range on Earth, the Mid-Ocean Ridge. It spans over 40.000 miles and winds through all the major oceans, making it longer than Andes, Rockies, and Himalayas combined!
- Have you ever heard of the “Dumbo” octopus? This adorable creature, named after the Disney character, has ear-like fins on either side of its head, which it flaps to swim gracefully through the water. It’s just one example of the many incredible and diverse species that inhabit the ocean depths.
- The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Australia, is so large that it can be seen from space! Stretching over 1400 miles, it is the world’s largest coral reef system, housing an extraordinary array of marine life.
- The oceans are also home to some astonishingly old creatures. The Greenland shark, for example, can live for over 400 years, making it one of the longest-lived vertebrates on the planet. These ancient sharks have been swimming in the cold depths of the Arctics for so long!
- While we often think of the ocean as blue, it can also display other stunning colors. The Red Sea, for instance, got its name from the occasional blooms of red-coloured algae, giving the water a reddish tint. Additionally, certain bioluminescent organisms can turn the ocean into sparkling light show at night, with glowing waves and trails as they move.
- The ocean is incredibly deep. In fact, if you were to dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, you would go even deeper than the height of Mount Everest!The trench reaches a mind-boggling depth of about 36.000 feet.
- Have you ever wondered how much of Earth’s oxygen comes from the ocean? Approximately 50-80 % of the oxygen we breathe is produced by marine plants, such as phytoplankton, seaweed, and algae.
- The ocean holds countless sunken treasures, including shipwrecks and lost cities. One notable example is the city of Atlantis, a legendary island civilization said to have sunk beneath the waves thousands of years ago. While its existence remains a mystery, the idea of a lost city hidden in the depths ignites the imagination of many.
These fun facts are just a drop in the ocean of fascinating information that the marine world has to offer. World Oceans Day is a perfect time to explore and uncover more remarkable facts about our oceans, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation for their beauty and importance in our lives.
Remember, every day can be an opportunity to honor and protect our ocean, but on this special day, let’s make waves of positive change that ripple across the globe. Happy World Oceans Day!