Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Science
  4. / Geography
  5. / Bodies Of Water
  6. / Oceans And Seas

by pickle4u on May 1st, 2005

pickle4u

Question

Help answer this question below.

What is the difference between an ocean and a sea?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. Showing one answer.

  • by Wiseacre on July 4th, 2011

    Wiseacre

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean
    An ocean (from Greek Ὠκεανὸς, "okeanos" Oceanus[1]) is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface (~3.6×108 km2
    ) is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.

    More than half of this area is over 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) deep. Average oceanic salinity is around 35 parts per thousand (‰) (3.5%), and nearly all seawater has a salinity in the range of 30 to 38 ‰. Scientists estimate that 230,000 marine species are currently known, but the total could be up to 10 times that number.

    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, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean.[1] It is also used sometimes to describe a large saline lake that lacks a natural outlet, such as the Caspian Sea.

    Comments

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading What is the difference between an ocean and a sea?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

Answerbag

a Demand Media company