Ways of Water

How much of the Earth is covered with water?

• 87%

• 69%

• 71%

• 58%

Answer explanation

71 percent

The Earth is a watery place. But just how much water exists on, in, and above our planet? About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water.

What is the deepest part of the ocean?

• Mariana Trench

• Challenger Deep

• Tonga Trench

• Philippine Trench

Answer explanation

the Challenger Deep

The deepest part of the ocean is called the Challenger Deep and is located beneath the western Pacific Ocean in the southern end of the Mariana Trench, which runs several hundred kilometers southwest of the U.S. territorial island of Guam. Challenger Deep is approximately 10,935 meters (35,876 feet) deep.

How much of the Earth's water is actually drinkable?

• 1.2%

• 2.5%

• 3.3%

• 3.8%

Answer explanation

1.2 percent

Only about three percent of Earth's water is fresh water. Of that, only about 1.2 percent can be used as drinking water; the rest is locked up in glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost, or buried deep in the ground. Most of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams.

What is the deepest SAFE depth for a human being to scuba dive recreationally?

• 99 feet

  (30 meters)

• 120 feet

  (36.5 meters)

• 180 feet

  (55 meters)

• 130 feet
  (40 meters)

Answer explanation

Recreational divers can dive as deep as 130 feet (40m). Although, this exact depth does not apply to all recreational divers as it all depends on the age and training of the divers. The maximum depth of a certified PADI Scuba Diver is 40ft (12m) and the maximum depth for a certified PADI Open Water Diver is 60ft (18m).

How deep into the ocean did the Titanic sink?

• 11,500 feet

• 12,100 feet

• 12,500 feet

• 13,000 feet

Answer explanation

The Titanic is located at a depth of around 12,500 feet, or 2.4 miles, below the ocean surface. For reference, the average depth of the ocean is about 12,100 feet, according to the National Ocean Service.

What is the chemical symbol for water?
LOOK CLOSELY

• H2O

• H02

• H20

• HO2

Why does the ocean appear blue?

multiple correct answers

• because it is so deep that light cannot reflect off the bottom

• because it's water and water is blue

• because water absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum

• because it's the prettiest color

How many oceans do we have on planet Earth?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 6

Answer explanation

Historically, there are four named oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. However, most countries - including the United States - now recognize the Southern (Antarctic) as the fifth ocean. The Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian are the most commonly known. The Southern Ocean is the 'newest' named ocean.

What is the deepest depth a technical diver can dive to?

• 175 feet

• 200 feet

• 275 feet

• 350 feet

Answer explanation

While the recommended maximum depth for conventional scuba diving is 130 feet, technical divers may work in the range of 170 feet to 350 feet, sometimes even deeper.

US Navy Seals conduct operations in water up to 300 feet deep that range from salvaging entire ships and aircraft to recovering debris spread over miles of ocean floor using state of the art mixed-gas diving systems, high-tech equipment and explosives for clearing channels and waterways.

What is the average max depth a US Navy submarine can dive to?

• 400 feet

• 600 feet

• 800 feet

• 1,000 feet

Answer explanation

U.S. Navy submarines are classified into multiple categories, each optimized for a particular naval strategy. The Virginia-class fast attack submarines, for instance, emphasize versatility and speed, with reported maximum depths reaching 800 feet, which is great enough to crush most land mammals.