What is Oceanography?

Did you know that less than 5 percent of the ocean's plants have been discovered? Other than the fact that the ocean plays a role in everything that we do, we do not know much about our ocean at all. With ocean exploration we can understand more about environmental changes and that ocean resources are well managed. The information we gather from the oceans is extremely important. New sources for medical drugs, products, and food can be revealed by studying the ocean. With this information, we can predict earthquakes and tsunamis and understand how we, as humans, impact our environment. It is essential that our ocean continues to be explored.

Oceanography is the study of the physical, chemical, and biological features of our ocean. It is important we learn more about our ocean to help solve the many issues previously mentioned. Within oceanography, there are several "speciality" divisions. Marine biologists or biological oceanographers study marine organisms, how they develop, adapt to their environment, and how they interact with others as well. Chemical oceanographers study the composition of seawater, ocean currents, and different ocean resources. Geological oceanographers study the ocean floor and with sampling, they learn more about the history of the sea-floor. Physical oceanographers study the physical conditions and processes of the ocean. These might include waves, currents, tides, and coastal erosion.

Being an oceanographer, requires a person to have strong communication skills, critical thinking skills, physical stamina, and outdoor skills. Oceanographers usually need at least a bachelor's degree for entry level positions. A geoscience degree is preferred by employers, but some oceanographers begin their careers with environmental science or engineering degrees. Certain oceanography jobs require a master's degree.

We hope you were able to learn something new about oceanography, the ocean's importance, or why we need to study our ocean. Feel free to check out NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Oceanography games.

Want to Play Oceanography Games? : CLICK HERE