Have you ever looked at a map, or a globe, and wondered: out of all that incredible blue, which ocean reigns supreme? Which one holds the title of the biggest, the most expansive body of water on our amazing planet?
Well, wonder no more! The largest ocean on Earth, by a massive margin, is the Pacific Ocean. Its name, given by explorer Ferdinand Magellan, actually means “peaceful sea.”
This incredible body of water covers more than 30% of the Earth’s surface! To put that into perspective, it’s actually larger than all of Earth’s landmasses combined. Yes, every single continent could fit inside it, with room to spare!
Not only is it the widest, but it’s also the deepest. Home to the infamous Mariana Trench, the Pacific contains the deepest known point on Earth: the Challenger Deep, plunging over 10,928 meters down! Imagine Mount Everest, completely submerged, with over a mile of water still above its peak!
The Pacific is also dotted with over 25,000 islands, more than all other oceans combined, and it’s surrounded by the “Ring of Fire,” a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. It’s a truly dynamic and awe-inspiring place!