Question: what is oceanopgraphy

Nuala Carson answered on 25 Jun 2012:

Hey emilthenerd,

So Emily are you really a nerd?

Oceanography is really just the study of the ocean. Its not a very well know section of science, I didn’t know it existed until I decided to study it at university! Oceanographers study ocean currents, storm tracks, sea level rise, sea ice change and lots of interesting things like that which all affect your life in some way or another. Like we look at the gulf stream which is a warm current which keeps Britain much warmer than it should be. We also look at sea level rise and work on stopping places close to the coast being underwater!

The ocean is massive, it covers more of the planet than land, it also contains more plants that photosynthesis than all the plants and trees on land! Scientists are starting to realize now that the ocean is also a major part of the fight against climate change. The ocean can hold 50% more carbon dioxide ( which is the main gas causing global warming) than the atmosphere so if we can figure out a safe way of taking it from the atmosphere and putting it into the ocean then that could stop global warming! I think that’s why it is such an exciting field to work it, it really is on the cutting edge of climate science.

I hope this helps you understand the sort of work oceanographers do!