OCEANS
Oceans cover more than 70% of the earth's surface, about 139 million square miles, and are home to many plants, animals, and fish. For many people, the ocean is their main source of food, and it is also a major source of the oil and gas we use for fuel and energy. Oceans are vital to our survival and help regulate the Earth's temperature and rainfall.
Ocean Basics
1. What is a gyre? 
2. In what ocean did the Nike shoe spill occur? Why will none of these shoes wash up on the eastern coast of South America ?
3. Explain two ways that oceans can affect climate?
4. What current makes it unlikely that London will have snow?
5. What is El Nino? Name two consequences that occur due to the an El Nino, be sure to tell where these consequences occurred.
Cool, Wet Facts
1. How big is a whale's heart?
2. Why are horseshoe crabs sometimes called living fossils?
3. What is the deepest part of the ocean? How deep is it?
4. What is the difference between high tide and low tide at the Bay of Fundy ?
Ocean Comparison   (Click on Oceans of the World in the left column)
1. The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the four oceans. Just how large is it? Compare it to the continents for an understanding of its size.
2. Why is more known about the Atlantic Ocean that the other three oceans?
3. What feature does the Indian Ocean have in common with the Atlantic Ocean ?
4. What unique feature of the Arctic Ocean was discovered in 1946?
Ocean Exploration
1. In what year was the first deep ocean dive made? How deep was the dive?
2. When was the first untethered dive made? What type of craft was used? Who made the dive?
3. In what year did the Challenger II discover the deepest point of the ocean? When was a dive made to this deep point? What was the name of the bathyscaphe used for the dive?
4. When were hydrothermal vents discovered? Why was this such a surprising discovery?

5. When did Dr. Ballard discover the wreck of the Titanic?  Where was the ship? Why is there no hope of raising the ship?
Ocean Life  

1.  What was the size of the largest giant squid recorded to date? What animal preys on giant squid?  What is ambergris? 
2. Why is the sea wasp known as the deadliest creature? How large can these animals grow? What simple covering can protect you from this deadly creature? 
3. How big was the largest jellyfish recorded? Give size of its “bell” and length of tentacles.  
4. What’s the fastest fish in the ocean? How fast can it move?
5. Name two adaptations that animals living in the deepest zones of the ocean have to help them survive.
6. What is the hottest known animal on earth? How high a temperature can it tolerate?
Ocean Problems/Solutions
1. Name two types of fish from the Atlantic that have been fished to depletion.
2. What is aquaculture?
3. Pollution of the ocean is a major problem. Dumping garbage and toxic wastes are two ways humans pollute the oceans. How does driving a car or growing crops pollute the ocean?
Create a Wave Deep Sea Simulator