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Sea and Ocean - Differences, Definition With Features And Examples
IMPORTANT LINKS
The sea and the ocean are both bodies of water, but they have many differences and similarities. The difference between a sea and an ocean is that seas are smaller than oceans. They are generally found where land and ocean meet, and land partially encloses. There are approximately 50 seas in the world.
The ocean is a large body of open water. It is majorly categorized into five: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. It covers approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface.
Fig: Oceans and Seas of the World
The Difference between Sea and Ocean is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination. It falls under the Geography section of General Studies Paper 1 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary). In this article, we shall discuss the Salient Features of Seas and Oceans, their differences, similarities and their Significance, etc.
Click on this link to download the Geography Notes for UPSC!
Difference between Seas and Oceans
The following table explains the differences between seas and oceans:
|
Point of Difference |
Seas |
Oceans |
|
Size |
Seas are smaller than oceans and are generally found where land and sea meet. |
Oceans are larger than seas in both area and depth. |
|
Number |
In the world, there are about 50 seas. Some of the Major Seas are
|
There are five oceans on the earth:
|
|
Salinity |
Water evaporation is greater in seas, resulting in saltier seas.
|
The oceans have lower salinity than the seas. Ocean currents help to regulate ocean salinity.
|
|
Depth |
In comparison to the ocean, sea depth is shallow. |
Oceans are generally much deeper than seas.
|
|
Interconnectivity |
Seas may be interconnected or may not be interconnected to oceans and other seas. |
The five oceans are one large interconnected water body on Earth. |
|
Encircling |
Seas are generally located close to land. Seas may be entirely or partially surrounded by land.
|
Oceans are generally located far away from land. |
|
Habitation or Life |
A wide range of marine life inhabits seas because they are generally close to land.
|
Oceans have less aquatic life than Seas because they are deeper and far away from the land.
|
|
Uses |
Seas are crucial for transportation, but they are better known for beachside tourism, fishing, and sporting events. |
International trade, mining, the extraction of natural gases, and crude oil are the main uses of the oceans. |
Click on this link to download the notes on the Caspian Sea for UPSC!
What is Sea?
The sea is a large body of saltwater that covers a significant part of the Earth's surface. It is composed of interconnected oceans, seas, and other water bodies. The sea is home to a diverse range of marine life and plays a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems.
Salient Features of Sea
- A vast expanse of saltwater covers around 71% of the Earth's surface.
- Contains high levels of salt, making it unsuitable for drinking.
- Provides habitats for a wide variety of marine plants and animals.
- Varies in depth, with some areas being shallow and others extremely deep.
- Experiences regular tidal movements. The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun causes these tides.
- Influences weather patterns and helps regulate the Earth's climate.
- Supports human activities such as transportation, fishing, tourism, and resource extraction.
- Plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of Earth's ecosystems and sustaining life.
Examples of Sea
|
Sea Name |
Location |
Notable Features |
|
Mediterranean Sea |
Between Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia |
Rich history, diverse cultures, scenic coastlines |
|
Caribbean Sea |
Western Hemisphere |
Turquoise waters, tropical climate, numerous islands |
|
Red Sea |
Northeastern Africa and Arabian Peninsula |
Unique marine life, coral reefs, popular for diving |
|
Adriatic Sea |
Southern Europe |
Scenic coastlines, Italy to Balkans |
|
Arabian Sea |
Northern Indian Ocean |
Vital shipping routes, borders Arabian Peninsula |
|
South China Sea |
Southeast Asia |
Complex geopolitical issues, territorial disputes |
|
Baltic Sea |
Northern Europe |
Brackish waters, surrounded by multiple countries |
|
Black Sea |
Eastern Europe and Western Asia |
Unique geological history, important trade routes |
|
Sea of Japan |
Between Japan and Korean Peninsula |
Distinct marine ecosystems |
|
Tasman Sea |
Between Australia and New Zealand |
Connects Pacific Ocean to Coral Sea |
Click on this link to download the notes on the Rising Oceans, Sinking Cities for UPSC!
What is Ocean?
An ocean is a vast body of saltwater. It covers a significant part of the Earth's surface and is larger than a sea. Oceans are the largest and deepest bodies of water on Earth.
Salient Features of Ocean
- Oceans cover the majority of the Earth's surface, with five main oceans, namely:
- Pacific Ocean,
- Atlantic Ocean,
- Indian Ocean,
- Southern Ocean, and
- Arctic Ocean.
- They contain a tremendous amount of water.
- Oceans have varying depths, including trenches and ridges. The Mariana Trench is the deepest point on Earth.
- They support a diverse range of marine life, including whales, fish, corals, and plankton.
- Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. They absorb heat, influence weather patterns, and store carbon dioxide.
- They provide valuable resources such as fish, minerals, and energy sources like oil and gas.
- Oceans are interconnected and are vital for global transportation and trade.
Examples of Ocean
|
Ocean Name |
Location |
Notable Features |
|
Pacific Ocean |
Largest ocean, spans Asia, Oceania, the Americas |
Home to diverse marine life, vast expanse |
|
Atlantic Ocean |
Between the Americas, Europe, and Africa |
Known for the Gulf Stream, vital trade routes |
|
Indian Ocean |
Borders Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent |
Rich biodiversity, monsoon system |
|
Southern Ocean |
Surrounds Antarctica |
Home to unique cold-water species, polar climate |
|
Arctic Ocean |
Surrounds the Arctic region |
Icy and cold, vital for global climate regulation |
Click on this link to download the notes on the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research for UPSC!
Similarities between the Seas and Oceans
Here are some similarities between the Seas and Oceans:
- The sea and the ocean are both saltwater bodies.
- Both sea and the ocean support life and are part of the carbon cycle.
- Both ocean and sea are responsible for 50-80% of all oxygen production on Earth.
- They contain approximately 96.5% of all water on Earth and are the largest reservoirs of water on earth.
Click on this link to download the notes on the Movements of Ocean Water for UPSC!
Significance of Seas and Oceans
Seas and oceans cover more than two-thirds of the Earth's surface and have several important roles.
- They serve as transportation routes for international trade by ships.
- Oceans and seas play a crucial part in the Earth's water cycle. They affect weather patterns and rainfall.
- Phytoplankton, tiny organisms in the oceans and seas, produce at least 50% of the Earth's oxygen.
- They act as a natural carbon reservoir. They absorb around one-fourth of human-produced CO2 emissions.
- Many people rely on the seas and oceans for employment and as a source of food.
- Oceans and seas have the potential to support sustainable development and economic growth.
- The global economy benefits from oceans, with an estimated value added of $1.5 trillion per year. This could increase to $3 trillion by 2030.
- Fishing, a primary activity in oceans, provides employment for about 58.5 million people. This includes about 21% of women, according to the FAO.
Click on this link to download the notes on the Ocean Floor and its Features for UPSC!
Conclusion
Ocean and sea are an important part of our ecological system, and hence understanding the difference between the two becomes crucial. Many times, people use these words interchangeably, but both are not exactly the same. The major differences between sea and ocean are based on their size, salinity, depth, interconnectivity, habitation, use etc.
Difference between Sea and Ocean - FAQs
What are 5 Oceans?
The five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans, and they hold approximately 96.5% of all the water on Earth.
What is the average depth of an Ocean?
The ocean's average depth is about 3,688 metres (12,100 feet), but the Pacific Ocean is the deepest water body, with an average depth of about 4,000 metres.
Which is the deepest part of the ocean?
The deepest part of the ocean, known as the Challenger Deep, is located beneath the western Pacific Ocean at the southern end of the Mariana Trench, at a depth of approximately 10,935 metres.
How do seas and Oceans benefit humans?
Oceans and seas provide us with food, regulate our climate, and produce the majority of the oxygen we breathe and are also the backbone of a large portion of the global economy, supporting industries like tourism, fisheries, and international trade.
What is the main difference between seas and oceans?
Oceans are larger bodies of water, while seas are smaller and usually found where land and ocean meet.