How are seas different from oceans?

The terms “sea” and “ocean” are often used interchangeably, but technically, they refer to different bodies of water. An ocean is a large body of saltwater that covers most of the earth's surface and is divided into distinct areas or basins. The five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Oceans. A sea is a smaller body of saltwater that is partially enclosed by land. Seas are usually connected to an ocean, but they can also be completely isolated.

The main difference between seas and oceans is size. Oceans are much larger and deeper than seas, and they cover a much greater area of the earth's surface. Oceans are typically thousands of miles wide and can be thousands of feet deep, while seas are usually much smaller and shallower. Oceans also tend to have more biodiversity than seas, due to their larger size and greater depths.

In terms of geography, seas are usually found along coastlines, while oceans are found in the open ocean. Seas are also usually more affected by the weather and climate of the area, while oceans are less affected by local weather patterns.

In terms of water composition, seas and oceans are both made up of saltwater, but the salinity of the water can vary from one body of water to the next. Seas tend to have a higher salinity than oceans, due to the fact that they are partially enclosed by land and are not as affected by the influx of freshwater from rivers and streams.