Oceans cover nearly seventy percent of the Earth's surface with the Pacific accounting for the majority of that. This account for ninety-seven percent of the water on Earth. They are filled with salt water which makes it undrinkable for humans. Seawater can be toxic to us because the body cannot rid itself of the excess salt and it will cause permanent damage if you drink too much. You will find different salt levels based on where you are geographically. The salt comes from rocks and minerals so if an ocean is located near a high concentration of rocks and minerals it will be very salt. Oceans drive the weather on our planet, exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen, and ultimately support all life. We have yet to explore more than a tiny fraction of their volume, but we do understand how the various ocean cycles affect other parts of the planet. Fun Fact: The Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is almost seven miles deep! Incredibly, life has been found even at this depth.
We will explore how this constant current of waves forms and continues on day after day. We will look at how the Earth's moon affects the Earth and creates a natural phenomenon known as tides. We explore the deeps of oceans and what we expect to find there and what we actually have found there. We will also look at future exploration of the seas. As we gobble up and use all the resources on the surface of the planet, the next frontier will be under the seas. These worksheets will introduce students to wave formation, tides, important currents, and more. The idea is to help students better understand what all that salt water houses. Each short reading passage is accompanied by questions for students.