How much water is in the Earth’s oceans?
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Geology Science › Forums › Geology Questions & Answers › How much water is in the Earth’s oceans?
How much water is in the Earth’s oceans?
The amount of water in the Earth’s oceans is approximately 1.332 billion cubic kilometers (km³), or about 332.5 million cubic miles. This represents about 97.5% of the total water on the Earth, with the remaining 2.5% found in freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
It is important to note that the amount of water in the oceans is not static and can change over time due to factors such as evaporation, precipitation, and glacier melting. However, the overall volume of water in the oceans has remained relatively stable over geological time scales.
The oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate and supporting life on the planet. They absorb and store large amounts of heat and carbon dioxide, and provide a habitat for a diverse range of marine organisms. The study of the oceans and their interactions with the rest of the Earth system is an important area of research in Earth science.