Categories: General Studies

What is the Difference Between Sea and Ocean?

Seas and oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover a significant portion of the Earth’s surface. They play a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate, supporting marine life, and providing resources for humans. Both are interconnected and essential for maintaining the Earth’s ecosystem. While they share similarities, seas and oceans have unique characteristics that set them apart.

What is a Sea?

A sea is a large body of salty water that is smaller than an ocean. Seas are often found close to land and may be surrounded by land on some sides. Some areas, like the Caspian Sea, are completely landlocked. The Mediterranean Sea is the largest sea, covering about 1.14 million square miles.

What is an Ocean?

An ocean is the biggest body of water on Earth, covering around 70% of the planet’s surface. Oceans are deeper and larger than seas. There are five oceans in the world:

  • Pacific Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Arctic Ocean
  • Southern of Antarctic Ocean

Key Differences Between Sea and Ocean

Seas and oceans are large water bodies, but they differ in size, depth, location and aquatic life. Seas are smaller and near land, while oceans are vast and deeper.

Sea Ocean
A sea is smaller than an ocean. Oceans cover about 70% of Earth’s surface.
Seas are close to land. Oceans may not be close to land.
Seas have abundant marine life because sunlight penetrates deeper into them, enabling photosynthesis. Oceans have less marine life in deeper areas due to less sunlight reaching those depths.
The Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea and South China are examples of seas. The Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean are examples of oceans.
The deepest sea is the Caribbean Sea, about 6,900 meters deep. The Pacific Ocean is the deepest ocean, about 10,000 meters deep.

Aquatic Life in Seas and Oceans

Seas have more marine life because sunlight reaches deeper, supporting photosynthesis. This makes seas home to a variety of plants, fish and other creatures.

Oceans, being deeper, have less sunlight, which limits photosynthesis. Most life in oceans includes microscopic organisms, bacteria and shrimp.

Akansha Arora

My role as a content writer specializing in current affairs at Adda247 involves meticulously researching and crafting compelling articles aimed at guiding and informing candidates preparing for National and State Level Competitive Government Exams. With a dedication to educational excellence, I strive to keep our candidates abreast of the latest developments and trends in current affairs. By providing insightful and engaging content, I aim to ensure that aspiring candidates are well-prepared and informed for their examinations.

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