Deep blue facts

You won't believe what they found in the Pacific: 10 incredible sea facts

Credit: Isabel Noschka

As you probably know, the oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface. That's huge! However, humans have explored only about 5% of the ocean. Just imagine what fascinating—and possibly terrifying—creatures might be hiding down there! If you're ready to learn 10 little-known facts about the ocean, keep reading.

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If you think the Andes are the longest mountain range on the planet, you're only partially right! At about 5,500 miles long, the Andes are the longest mountain range on Earth’s surface. However, the ocean hides a giant over 40,000 miles long. That’s right—the Mid-Ocean Ridge, which lies entirely underwater, is actually the longest mountain range on Earth!

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In the Pacific Ocean, about 124 miles east of the Mariana Islands, lies the famous Mariana Trench. It's more than just a trench—it's the deepest oceanic trench on Earth. In fact, it's even deeper than Mount Everest is tall! You might be thinking, "Wait, what?" Well, Everest rises an impressive 29,032 feet above sea level, but the deepest point of the Mariana Trench, known as the Challenger Deep, plunges to about 36,000 feet below sea level.

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If you say "older than dinosaurs" to refer to something that happened a long, long time ago, you could also say "as old as sea sponges." That’s because sea sponges—simple, invertebrate sea creatures—have existed on this planet since before the dinosaurs, and they’re still here! As some of the first multicellular organisms on Earth, they’ve been around for about 600 million years!

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We all know that trees and plants give us oxygen through photosynthesis. But did you know that land-based plants contribute only about 20 to 30% of the Earth's oxygen? That’s right—the majority, around 70%, comes from the ocean! This oxygen is produced through photosynthesis by marine organisms like phytoplankton, algae, and cyanobacteria.

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Frogfish aren’t particularly distinguished by their beauty, but their eccentric appearance is not the only strange thing about them. When it comes to eating, they have a really hard time! Why? It happens that these creatures are carnivorous and feed mainly on other fish and crustaceans. But here's the thing: they don't have teeth! So, they have no choice but to swallow their prey whole.

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Despite being teeming with life, even containing thousands of species that humans have yet to discover, the ocean also has areas where there’s virtually nothing. What do we mean? We're talking about the so-called "dead zones" of the ocean—those parts where the amount of oxygen is so low that almost no form of life can survive!

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Among the many surprises that can be found under the sea is the Great Barrier Reef, recognized as the largest living structure on the planet.

Located off the coast of Australia, it stretches over 1,400 miles—that's about the same distance as between New York City and Dallas! In fact, it’s so large that it can even be seen from space. Amazing, isn’t it?

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The ocean is home to incredible creatures, and among the most fascinating is the mimic octopus. As its name suggests, this extraordinary animal has the ability to adopt a wide variety of shapes.

The mimic octopus can change its color, texture, and form to blend in with its surroundings, imitating different surfaces. But what’s even more surprising is its ability to mimic not just the appearance, but also the behaviors of other marine animals!

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Water is incredibly powerful—and surprisingly fast! It has been proven that tsunamis—those giant waves caused by underwater earthquakes—can travel at speeds of 500 to 600 miles per hour, roughly the same speed as a jet plane. That’s why tsunamis are so dangerous and destructive when they reach land.

Credit: Kris-Mikael Krister

Do you know what nudibranchs are? These creatures are soft-bodied marine mollusks are known for their stunning colors. But their appearance isn’t the only amazing thing about them—some types of nudibranchs are even solar-powered! What does that mean? Well, these incredible creatures can harness the sun’s rays to produce energy, much like plants do.

Add a dash of Deutsch!

Can English borrow these 10 wonderful German words already?

Credit: Wilhelm Gunkel

It’s no secret that German has some fantastic words that don’t exist in English—words that capture experiences we often struggle to put into words. With its knack for combining vivid imagery and down-to-earth practicality, the German language has created expressions for everything from the peace of a quiet forest to the weight gain after a bad breakup.

For all of us who love language, here are 10 wonderful German words that might deserve a place in English, if only for how perfectly they capture familiar situations. So, grab a cup of coffee (or perhaps a bit of Kummerspeck), and let’s explore these German expressions.

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Imagine yourself surrounded by trees, breathing in the fresh air, with nothing but the rustling leaves for company—that’s Waldeinsamkeit. It’s not just about being alone in the woods; it’s the peace and clarity that nature brings when we step away from the world.

This word made its way to America through writers like Emerson, who found inspiration in such moments of solitude. For nature lovers, you’ll know exactly what we mean—when the noise of the world fades and you’re left with just your thoughts, you’ve entered the realm of Waldeinsamkeit. And who doesn’t need a bit of that?

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Have you ever felt tempted to skip your responsibilities and just take a day off? We all have—that’s the spirit of blaumachen, which means taking a day off for no particular reason. The literal translation is "make blue," originating from the German tradition of relaxing on "Blue Monday" after the weekend.

While we might call it "playing hooky," which refers to skipping school or work, blaumachen is more about the freedom of enjoying a day without a set agenda. Germans sometimes associate it with relaxation—a chance to recharge rather than be productive. We all need a blaumachen once in a while, especially after a busy week. And if you combine blaumachen with Waldeinsamkeit, you’ll truly get a fresh start!

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Daydreamers, this one’s for you. Luftschlösser bauen literally translates to "building castles in the air," and it’s what we do when we dream about grand plans or ideas with no real way to pull them off.

Germans consider these "air castles" impractical but harmless. After all, they provide a pleasant mental escape. In English, we might say "pipe dream," but that doesn’t quite capture the whimsy of a Luftschloss. Even if the castle remains in the clouds, sometimes the act of dreaming is rewarding enough.

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You know when you’re having a drink and suddenly come up with the perfect solution—only to realize the next day that it wasn’t so brilliant after all? Well, that’s a Schnapsidee, which literally means an "alcohol idea."

This word perfectly describes those ideas that seem genius in the moment but don’t hold up in the light of day. Germans associate it with the creativity (or lack thereof, let’s be honest) that comes after a few drinks. The idea itself might not be your best, but you can’t deny it makes for a great excuse to laugh off those silly mistakes we all make from time to time.

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If the concepts above weren’t quite up your alley, here’s a word that might come in handy: Drachenfutter, or "dragon food." How can this be useful?

Well, this word refers to an apology gift for a loved one—something you offer to smooth things over, often after a mistake (or a Schnapsidee!). Think of bringing home flowers or chocolates to keep the peace—that’s Drachenfutter.

The term is playful, likening the person you’re apologizing to a "dragon" whose anger needs to be soothed. Just don’t call them a dragon to their face! When words fail, a little Drachenfutter can go a long way.

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Ever tried to fix something and ended up making it worse? Then you know Verschlimmbesserung, a word that combines "worse" and "improvement."

This term perfectly describes those well-intentioned efforts that accidentally backfire. Maybe you tried solving a friend’s problem only to make an even bigger mess—classic Verschlimmbesserung. The English word "disimprovement" comes close, but it doesn’t quite capture the same idea.

Germans use Verschlimmbesserung as a reminder that not every change is for the better. Sometimes, the best improvement is knowing when to leave things alone.

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We’re all familiar with the concept of "small talk," but this isn’t quite the same. If you’ve ever been told to "stop babbling," you’ve experienced quatschen, a German word for mindless chatter.

Often used by teachers to quiet classrooms, quatschen refers to talk that isn’t about substance—it’s more about filling the air. Some say the word comes from the sound of mud squishing, and in the form Quatsch!, it works as an interjection, similar to saying "nonsense!" in English.

We all enjoy some idle gossip or pointless chatter now and then, and quatschen gets the point across. A little quatschen can be fun, but too much of it, and you might be better off enjoying some Waldeinsamkeit.

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Who hasn’t found comfort in the fridge when feeling down? A forgotten slice of pizza or an unexpected chocolate bar can instantly brighten up our days. That’s Kummerspeck, which translates to "grief bacon." Funny, right? It refers to the weight gained from eating through tough times.

In English, we don’t have an exact term for it, though we can all relate to the experience. The Germans combine Kummer (grief) and Speck (bacon or fat) to create a word that’s both humorous and relatable.

While it might not be the healthiest coping mechanism, a little Kummerspeck never hurt anyone. Just balance it out with a walk in the woods for some Waldeinsamkeit, and you’ll be fine.

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There are days when the weight of the world feels overwhelming, and the word Weltschmerz sums it up perfectly. It means "world pain," which feels like an accurate description, doesn’t it?

This word gained popularity among Romantic writers who felt that the limits of life clashed with their dreams. It’s not just about personal sadness—it’s a more universal feeling. Weltschmerz captures the deep weariness of realizing that things aren’t quite as they should be.

Though it’s not exactly a cheerful concept, there’s comfort in having a word for this feeling—and in knowing that, even if it’s in German, everyone understands it.

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Speaking of universal feelings, let’s close this article with a word that perfectly captures an experience we’ve all had. Can you think of a time when someone did something so cringeworthy or embarrassing that you felt uncomfortable on their behalf? That’s _Fremdschämen_—a German word that refers to secondhand embarrassment.

It combines fremd (someone else’s) and schämen (to be ashamed), describing that unbearable feeling of wanting to hide from an embarrassing situation that isn’t even yours.It’s painfully accurate, and just writing (or reading, in your case) about it can make one uncomfortable.

Now, don’t overthink it—we’ve all been there. And if you can’t recall a time when you’ve felt Fremdschämen, well… you might be the one causing it! But hey, who hasn’t?