Pacific Covers 60 Million Square Miles, Exceeding Earth’s 58 Million Square Miles of Land
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 4
Pacific Covers 60 Million Square Miles, Exceeding Earth’s 58 Million Square Miles of Land
1 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 4
Summary
More than 60 million square miles of the Pacific alone exceed the roughly 58 million square miles of all Earth’s continents combined, making the ocean larger than every landmass put together.
That scale is often misread because Mercator maps enlarge high-latitude land and compress equatorial oceans; the Pacific spans about 30% of Earth’s surface but is visually pushed to the margins.
The basin’s vastness is not just horizontal: the Mariana Trench drops beyond 36,000 feet, and the Pacific holds more than half of all seawater on Earth.
Zealandia — a mostly submerged continent beneath the South Pacific — underscores that scale, with only fragments such as New Zealand and New Caledonia rising above the surface.
Because the Pacific drives El Niño-Southern Oscillation and influences rainfall, food supplies and climate far beyond its shores, the report argues Earth is better understood as a world dominated by one ocean.
Our maps have lied about the oceans for centuries; what other fundamental truths about our planet are we still missing?
With a 'Super El Niño' forecast for a warmer world, are we prepared for climate events beyond historical precedent?
As climate disasters intensify, why is international funding to help vulnerable nations prepare for them actually decreasing?
Pacific Ocean Powerhouse: How the World’s Largest Ocean Shapes Climate, Biodiversity, and Human History
Overview
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and most dominant water body on Earth, holding more than half of the planet’s open water. Named 'Pacific' by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, its vast scale and depth make it a unique and dynamic feature of our planet. Despite its peaceful name, the Pacific is full of geological activity and complex underwater landscapes. Its immense size means much of it remains unexplored, yet it continues to reveal new species and features. The Pacific’s scale, depth, and ongoing discoveries highlight its unrivaled importance to Earth’s environment and human history.