We know surprisingly little about the ocean despite it covering about 70.8% of Earth's surface. Around 95% of the ocean remains completely unexplored, and less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor has been directly observed by humans. We have mapped the ocean floor, but only at a low resolution, and detailed knowledge is largely limited to observations within the top few hundred meters of water while vast deep and remote regions remain poorly understood. Key data gaps persist in understanding marine life distribution, ecosystem changes, human impacts, and climate effects, particularly in deep and remote ocean areas. Technological advances, including AI and autonomous exploration, are starting to fill some gaps, but the ocean remains a largely mysterious frontier critical to Earth's climate and biodiversity.
Summary of ocean knowledge and gaps
- The ocean covers about 70.8% of Earth's surface and contains 97% of Earth's water.
- Approximately 95% of the ocean is unexplored; less than 0.001% of the deep seafloor has been directly visited or imaged.
- The ocean floor has been mapped with low resolution (about 3 miles), revealing large-scale features but leaving finer details unknown.
- We have significant data gaps about marine life locations and population trends, ecosystem changes such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, and the impacts of human activities including pollution and resource extraction.
- Climate-related data is better for surface and near-surface conditions (temperature, acidity, sea level), but poor for deep and remote ocean regions.
- Advanced technologies, including AI for microplastic detection and autonomous vehicles for deep ocean exploration, are enhancing knowledge, but coverage remains incomplete.
- Ocean data gaps hinder effective policy, conservation, and sustainable use efforts, emphasizing the need for coordinated global scientific and technological efforts.
Thus, while scientific knowledge of the ocean has grown, vast areas and many processes remain poorly understood, underscoring the ocean as both vital and mysterious.
