Module 12: Oceanography

You live on what is known as the "Blue Planet," a place where over 71% of the surface is covered in water. Scientists who study the oceans and how they interact with other Earth systems are called oceanographers.  The study of oceanography includes all aspects of the ocean, from examining microscopic plankton and studying tidal changes, to exploring deep ocean hydrothermal vents and tracking the global circulation of ocean currents. In this module, you will learn about how the ocean formed, the different ways that the ocean’s water moves around the Earth, and the structure of Earth’s crust below the ocean surface.  You will also meet some species that call the ocean home and learn how humans and the ocean depend on each other in more ways than you might think.

Getting Started

Oceanographers study the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of Earth's oceans. Before you start this module, play this connect the dot game to reveal one of the items that you will study in this module. Click the player button to get started.

Key Vocabulary

To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.