50 Facts about the Ocean You Might Not Have Known P. 3

Welcome back to part 3 of our series on 50 facts about the ocean! In this installation, we'll explore more fascinating insights about this incredible aquatic universe, including the migratory paths of great white sharks to the crushing depths of the Mariana Trench.

The ocean, a vast and mysterious body of water that covers more than 70% of our planet's surface, is a source of endless fascination and intrigue. It's a realm where the known meets the unknown, where the visible surface hides depths still largely unexplored by mankind.

As we continue our journey to uncover the secrets of this immense aquatic world, we present part 3 of our series on 50 facts about the ocean, a continuation of our series designed to illuminate the mysteries and marvels of the ocean.

A scuba diver exploring an underwater cave | Source: Getty Images

Submerging into the Depths: 50 Facts About the Ocean Part 3

1. In 2002, scientists discovered that great white sharks embarked on an annual journey to a remote part of the Pacific Ocean in the winter, which they dubbed the White Shark Café. Between Baja California and Hawaii, these formidable predators gather, some lingering for months before returning to warmer coastal waters.

2. While the Andes Mountains boast impressive lengths above water, the true record holder for the longest mountain range lies beneath the ocean's surface. The Mid-Oceanic Ridge stretches across an astonishing 40,390 miles, weaving between continents and dwarfing any terrestrial counterpart.

A great white shark | Source: Getty Images

3. The Pacific Ocean's sheer width is staggering, extending 12,300 miles from Indonesia to Colombia. This expanse is over five times the diameter of the moon, highlighting the ocean's immense scale and its bordering of over 50 countries.

4. Enormous Antarctic icebergs contain more than 20 billion gallons of water each, enough to potentially supply one million people with drinking water for five years.

Huge icebergs in the Antarctic | Source: Getty Images

5. Of the 18 types of penguins, nearly all reside in the southern hemisphere's coasts, with the exception of the Galapagos penguins. These flightless birds, equipped with flippers instead of wings, navigate the ocean with astonishing agility.

6. The echinoderm family, including sea stars, sea cucumbers, and urchins, thrives without hearts, brains, or eyes. These unique creatures, boasting spiky skins, exhibit fascinating anatomy with mouths on their undersides.

Penguins | Source: Getty Images

7. Contrary to its desolate appearance, the vast blue serves as a bustling marine thoroughfare. Species like the spinner dolphin, the sailfish, and the blue shark traverse these waters, demonstrating the ocean's role as a crucial ecological corridor.

8. The Mariana Trench, the deepest known part of the ocean, plunges approximately 7 miles into the earth's crust. Located in the South Pacific Ocean, this trench represents the ultimate frontier of oceanic exploration.

A deep underwater coral reef | Source: Getty Images

9. The bottom of the Mariana Trench experiences a water pressure of eight tons per square inch, a force capable of crushing almost anything that dares to venture so deep.

An iceberg in the middle of the ocean | Source: Getty Images

As we conclude this installment, the vastness and complexity of the ocean remind us of how much remains to be discovered. These facts represent mere drops in the endless ocean of knowledge that awaits us.

Just in case you missed it, enjoy part 2 of our series on 50 facts about the ocean, and further explore the mystery that lingers beneath the water.