Explains the characteristics of oceans and the forces and principles which act upon them, demonstrating with experiments and models.

Includes index.

Studying oceans -- World's oceans -- Birth of an ocean -- Ocean floor -- Seawater -- Frozen oceans -- Ocean currents -- Waves -- Tides -- Changing sea levels -- Coasts -- Coral reefs -- Black smokers -- Marine life -- Deep-sea sediments -- Ocean resources -- Ports and settlement -- Exploring oceans -- Mapping the seabed -- Oceans under threat -- Glossary -- Index.