Book 7, Question 98
Why Do Oceans Store So Much Heat?
Oceans store so much heat because water can hold a huge amount of heat energy. They soak up energy from the Sun and release it slowly, which shapes climates around the world. Oceans are giant heat banks!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 7
More fun facts
- Water has a high heat capacity, which means it can store a lot of heat compared to air.
- About 90 percent of the extra heat from global warming over the past century has gone into the ocean.
- Scientists track the heat in the top 2,000 meters of the ocean.
- 2024 was the ocean's warmest year on record.
- Warmer oceans have led to more frequent and intense marine heat waves.
- Global sea levels have risen more than 4 inches since measurements began in 1992.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA Science
Questions kids ask
Where does most of the extra heat on Earth go?
About 90 percent goes into the ocean.
How much have seas risen?
More than 4 inches since 1992.