We know more about Mars than we do about the oceans that cover 70 percent of Earth's surface and sustain life on our blue planet. Yet every child is fascinated by sharks, tsunamis, palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs and superstrange-looking deep-sea fish. This book is a genuine contribution to our understanding of the world's last wilderness. It introduces ocean water, geology, tides, waves, and coastlines, then moves on to a stunning catalogue of ocean life, from the smallest sponge to the largest whale. Beautiful original photographs and dramatic modern graphics are combined with up-to-the-minute factual knowledge from marine biologists, conservationists, and explorers.