ocean [n.]

1. a very large expanse of sea; in particular, each of the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic Oceans. 2. [the ocean] chiefly N. Amer. the sea.
- Greek okeanos ‘great stream encircling the earth’s disc’.

Oxford Dictionaries

Water covers about 70% of the surface of the Earth. The oceans of the world make up a very large portion of this. They influence our weather patterns, our food production, aspects of our leisure, long distance transport and more. We are continually building our knowledge about them, but we still know very little.

Related topics such as Environment, Climate Change and Weather can be accessed via the Science Introduction page.

This page provides information about the oceans of the world, oceanography, ocean conditions including tsunamis, shipping plus further general information.

The News and Newspapers pages may provide breaking news, events and more in this area.

The Oceans

Atlantic Ocean

• Atlantic Ocean
  Background, geography, economy, transportation, transnational issues. Links to other Bartleby sites.
• Atlantic Ocean : Introduction
  Introduction, geography, government, economy, transportation, transnational issues, maps, flags.
• The Atlantic Ocean
  Geography, cultural significance, ocean bottom, water characteristics, climate, history, Ethiopic Ocean, economy, terrain, environmental issues, major ports and harbours, references, links. From Wikipedia.

Arctic Ocean

• Arctic Ocean
  Geography, history, climate, natural resources, natural hazards, animal and plant life, environmental concerns, major ports and harbours, references, further reading, links. From Wikipedia.
• Arctic Ocean [2]
  Information, links to further information. Infoplease.
• The Hidden Ocean Arctic 2005
  Information and imagery about this exploration of the Arctic Ocean region. ILogs, education material, fauna, biodiversity, diving information, more.
• Welcome to the Arctic Ocean
  By a Canadian university. Chapters of information covering The Sea Ice, Snow & Ice, Continental Shelves, Ocean Basin, Currents.

Indian Ocean

• Indian Ocean
  Geography, climate, hydrology, economy, history, culture and literature, major ports and harbours, references, links. From Wikipedia.
• Indian Ocean History
  Introduction, educator information, videos, maps from different historical periods, learning tools. Sultan Qaboos Cultural Centre.
  Impressive.
• The Indian Ocean
  The World Factbook section on the Indian Ocean.
• The Indian Ocean [2]
  Climatology & Oceanography Gateway. Scientific information, climate, weather, oceanography, environment, international programs, bibliography, links, more.
• The Indian Ocean Trade : A Classroom Simulation
  Background, map of trade, The Simulation, procedures, worksheets, overheads. A PDF Version is also available.

Pacific Ocean

• Pacific Ocean
  Overview, water characteristics, geology, landmasses, history & economy, environmental issues, major ports and harbours, references, further reading, links. From Wikipedia.
• Pacific Ocean [2]
  Information from the CIA World Factbook.
• Pacific Ocean [Infoplease]
  Physical Geography, Currents, Commerce & Shipping, Exploration & Settlement, Bibliography.
• The Pacific
  Commerce and shipping, currents, exploration and settlement, physical geography, general information including some history.
• The Pacific Ocean

Southern Ocean

The Great Southern Ocean circles the globe around the Antarctic continent below 60° south. Information, photographs, links.

• CIA - The World Factbook - Southern Ocean
  A good general introduction.
• Southern Ocean
  Geography, history, features, climate, natural resources, natural hazards, economy, environmental issues, ports and harbours, references, links. From Wikipedia.
• Hydrographic Atlas of the Southern Ocean
  ‘An online Atlas of hydrographic data products for the region extending to the south of 30°S, nominally the Southern Ocean’.
• The New Fifth Ocean
  Introduction, information, links. About.com.
• The Southern Ocean - Antarctic Seas and Wildlife
  Site by a biologist with a specific interest in this area.

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Other Information

General Sites

• All About Oceans and Seas
  Why is the sea salty ?, What causes waves and tides ?, The water cycle, Why is it blue ?. Several sections, printable resources, links.
• Australian Marine Conservation Society
  ‘Organisation whose mission is to protect the health and vitality of Australia’s coasts and seas, provide leadership on a wide range of marine issues throughout Australia including marine parks, fisheries, threatened species and land-based pollution’.
• Exploration of the Oceans
  Thinkquest. Famous people, submersibles, treasures, poetry, glossary, more.
• Ocean Explorer
  A site for educators, students, the general public. It allows a virtual exploration of the ocean and provides educational information about every aspect.
• Ocean Planet
  Exhibit from the Smithsonian.
• Ocean Quest
  Thinkquest. Cultures and legends, problems facing the oceans, their uses, resources, the future of oceans, more.
• Oceans, Seas & Coasts
  Simple presentation about world oceans, the need to protect them, animals that live in them.
• Oceans : an Introduction
  Introduction to five main oceans including maps, deepest points, other links.
• Sea and Sky
  Images, games, information, links, software. Covers both sea and space.
• Secrets at Sea
  Based around four themes. Section for frequently asked questions, teacher’s guide.
• The Great Ocean
  Mother Nature’s Creation. Thinkquest. Sea structure, creatures underwater, activities at sea.
• Treasures@Sea
  ‘Exploring the Ocean through Literature’. Sub-sections include Book Activities, Writing Activities, Art Activities, Web Resources.
• World Oceans
  Thinkquest. Ocean landscape, atlas, uses, science, monitoring. Covers several oceans.

Ocean Currents

An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of ocean water generated by the forces acting upon this mean flow, such as breaking waves, wind, Coriolis force, temperature and salinity differences and tides caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun - Wikipedia. There are different types of currents and several especailly well-known currents.

• Agulhas Current
  Formation and behaviour, retroflection, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Current Map
  Covers surface currents. Also has links to additional information and related links.
• Currents
  Information on multiple pages from Ocean World.
• Gulf Stream
  History, properties, formation and behaviour, localised effects, effect on cyclone formation, possible renewable power source, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• How Ocean Currents Work
  From HowStuffWorks. Introduction, Ocean Current Types, surface currents, deep ocean currents, tidal currents, more.
• Ocean Current
  Function, importance, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Ocean Currents
  Information covering several aspects and with references to other ocean information. From Water Encyclopaedia.
• Ocean Currents [About.com]
  Types and Causes, their importance, Ocean Current v. Alternative Energy, suggested reading and related articles.
• Ocean Currents and Climate
  basic information and multiple graphics. From University of Southern California.‘ ’
• Ocean Currents [CSIRO]
  Extensive data including archived information about Australia. Includes animations, news, maps and more.
• Ocean Currents [NASA]
  Information, with several embedded links.
• Ocean Currents [NOAA]
  ‘Special tools like radars and floating buoys are used to map and predict ocean currents. This activity will introduce you to the information that these buoys collect for us’. A K-12 activity source.
• Ocean Surface Currents
  Extensive information in multiple sections from the University of Miami. Some sections still under construction.
• Surface Currents in the Atlantic Ocean
  Opens on the Agulhas Current but you can access more than 30 others and also currents in the Indian, Pacific and Polar Oceans and other seas.

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Oceanography

• Oceanlink
  Information, news, glossary, aquafacts, ask a scientist, links, oceanic careers, more.
• Oceanographic Services
  Tides, sea level, tsunamis, ocean temperatures, waves, forecasts, links to Facilities, Projects, Other Information. Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
• Oceanography
  Ocean facts, information. Oceans in motion, habitats, ocean life, ocean water, ocean regions, research vessels, resources.
• Oceanography Theme Page
  ‘Students and teachers will find curricular resources to help learn about this topic. In addition, there are links to instructional materials’.
• Oceans Alive
  This Water Planet, Oceans in Motion, Life in The Sea, Scientist at Sea. Resources.
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography
  News, images, research information, educational information, resources.
• Take a Dive into Oceanography
  Thinkquest. ‘This Website gives information from the waves washing on shore, to the dark, mysterious sea floor ! Includes El Niño, sea vents, pollution, more.

Seas

A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, the term refers to a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean - Wikipedia

Information about Specific Seas

• Arabian Sea
  Description, limits, trade routes, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Baltic Sea
  Geophysical data, etymology, sea ice, hydrography, salinity. geographic data, geologic history, history, biology, economy, tourism, The Helsinki Convention, countries, islands and archipelagoes, cities, further reading, other links, From Wikipedia.
• Black Sea
  Extent, name, geology, hydrology &hydrochemistry, ecology, climate, history, archaeology, regional organisations, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Caribbean Sea
  History, extent, geology, ecology, weather, economy and human activity, popular culture, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Coral Sea
  Extent, geology, hydrology, climate, flora, fauna, human activities, references, bibliography, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Dead Sea
  Etymology, geography, Natural history, climate, chemistry, health effects and therapies, fauna and flora, human settlement, history, Biblical period, industry, gallery, references, further reading, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Mediterranean Sea
  Name, history, geography, geology, paleoclimate, ecology and biota, environmental threats, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Red Sea
  Extent, name, history, oceanography, geology, living resources, mineral resources, security, facts and figures, tourism, bordering countries, towns and cities, references, further reading, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Sea of Japan
  Extent, geography and geology, climate, hydrology, flora and fauna, economy, history and exploration, naming dispute, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• South China Sea
  Names for the sea, geography, extent, resources, territorial claims, references, further reading, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Tasman Sea
  Geography, extent, references. From Wikipedia.

• Maps of Seas
  Modern maps, old maps, maps of specific seas. Links provided to all of these. Also media for this category. From Wikimedia Commons.
• Major Seas of the World
  map detailing these.
• List of Seas
  Quite extensive listing of seas from around the world. Another Sea Listing can be found here, while the Major Seas by Size can be found listed here.
• Sea[s]
  List of seas [links to information on each], nomenclature, science, notes, other links. From Wikipedia.
• What Are The Seven Seas ?
  ‘There is no definitive answer to this question. The phrase is a figure of speech and has been used to refer to different bodies of water at various times and places’.

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Ships & Shipping

• Famous Shipwrecks Worldwide
  ‘Historical and current Information including links to period related articles on some of histories most famous shipwrecks’.
• Maritime
  Thinkquest. Sub-titled Ships, Oceans, Legends and more !.
• Sailing the Seven Seas
  Thinkquest. ‘A comprehensive educational website about ocean-going vessels. Information on everything from the evolution of the ship through the ages to the workings of modern surface skimmers’.
• Shipwreck World
  News, articles, Q & A, forums, Wreck Finder, Reviews, links, events, more.
• The Ships List
  Has both general and specific lists.

Specific Sites on Ocean-Related Topics

• Lighthouses : Road Signs for the Oceans
  Thinkquest. History, how they work, sites around the world, colouring book, games, more.
• Oceans at Risk
  By people concerned we are destroying the natural systems and beauty of the world’s oceans and that we can’t continue doing so.
  Now on Facebook. You need to sign up to interact with the site.
• Oceanweather
  Commercial entity. Public and private work related to ocean weather research and forecasting.
• The Oceanic Resource Foundation : Problems & Dangers Affecting Our Oceans
  Part of a larger site about oceans.
• World Aquaculture
  Thinkquest. What is Aquaculture ?, Important Commercial Species, Influential Countries, Environmental Concerns, Aquaculture Diseases, Aquaculture Trends, more.

Tsunamis

• International Tsunami Information Centre
  Overviews, safety, Great Waves, glossary, reading list, Tsunami Events, media, history, more. Linked to NOAA and UNESCO.
• Killer Wave ! Tsunami
  National Geographic. How they form, I Survived, Killer Wave !, Speed Demon.
• Pacific Tsunami Museum
  Special areas, programs, archives, links, FAQs, student & teacher areas, areas to explore.
• Physics of Tsunamis
  Six sections on this.
• Surviving a Tsunami - Lessons from …
  Information, graphics, lessons, examples, advice.
• Tsunamis & Earthquakes
  Discussions, research studies, animations, virtual reality models [needs plugin].
• Tsunami Event Database
  Search historically, geographically, by cause, magnitude, other parameters. Other information is also found at Tsunami Data.
• Tsunami Page of Dr George PC
  Huge listing of information on every possible aspect. Also has volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, man-made disasters.
• Welcome to Tsunami !

Under the Oceans

• Coral Realm
  Explore the Underwater KingdomsThinkquest. Corals, ecology, stories, gallery, quiz, more.
• Diving : Human Contact with the Underwater World
  Thinkquest. Diving for amateurs and professionals, the history of its development, changes that have occurred, things that are used, how humans have changed.

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