Although the oceans cover most of Earth, the the tiny sliver of the coastal ocean greatly influences, and is most influenced by, human activity.

Understanding how the ocean works is foundational to understanding life on this planet and to the discipline of oceanography. Get to know the big systems of the ocean: its cycles, circulation, zones, and connection to the atmosphere. Learn about ocean chemistry, life and landscapes on the seafloor, plate movements, shorelines, and icy regions.

The oceans are critical to human life, and ocean scientists are working to investigate the untapped potential of the sea in order to maximize these benefits.

The oceans are critical to human flourishing: they feed and sustain billions of people, and make life as we know it possible. Study the entwined life of humanity and the sea—the impacts of natural disasters, pollution, and harmful algal blooms. Learn how scientists locate shipwrecks, lost planes, and other human artifacts to unearth a historical record and study how ocean life colonizes these materials.

Incredible diversity exists in the ocean, from microscopic organisms to the largest animals on Earth.

Every drop of ocean water holds living things. Across Earth's history, the ocean has nurtured nearly every form of life that has ever existed. Immerse yourself in the diverse ecosystems around coral reefs, the surprising homes of marine microbes, the migrations of giant marine mammals, and the clues embedded in Environmental DNA.

Researchers use a variety of instruments and tools to sample and study the ocean.

The global ocean provides food, minerals, and other valuable resources for human use.

The global ocean provides food, minerals, and other valuable resources. Read up on the science and technological advances that can inform management of the ocean so that fisheries remain stable, ecosystems that support the food web are protected, new ocean-based energy sources do not harm marine life, and humans can continue to live in harmony with the ocean for generations to come.