Exploring The Ocean: 4-Volume Set: Volume 1: The Physical Ocean; Volume 2: Life In The Ocean; Volume 3: Uses Of The Ocean; Volume 4: Index

Exploring the Ocean: 4-Volume Set: Volume 1: The Physical Ocean; Volume 2: Life in the Ocean; Volume 3: Uses of the Ocean; Volume 4: Index

Full of fascinating facts and real-life examples, Exploring the Ocean is an engaging, comprehensive investigation into those vast bodies of water that dominate two-thirds of our earth. Divided into four books -- The Physical Ocean, Life in the Ocean, Uses of the Ocean, and an accompanyingindex volume -- this extraordinary reference is a thorough, easy-to-understand study of oceanography, from underwater geography and topography to the vast variety of ocean life to human exploration and exploitation.Each topic features:* A spread devoted to concepts and understanding* Sidebars on specifics such as important oceanographers or rules for *oral reef divers* Easy-to-read diagrams and maps* Stunning color photographs from all over the worldExploring the Ocean also includes useful volume and set indexes, appendices of basic ocean facts, websites, and further reading suggestions. Perfect for a casual dip or complete immersion, Exploring the Ocean encourages the marine biologist in all of us to delve into the depths of this intriguingworld.Volume 1With examples such as the Tethys Ocean and the Great Barrier Reef, Volume 1: The Physical Ocean brings the remarkable enormity of the oceans to life by examining the composition of the water itself, ocean currents, waves, tides and climactic influences. The Physical Ocean provides a comprehensiveunderstanding of why, how, and where the oceans exist, and how they have changed from their origins to the present day. You learn the answers to questions such as:* Why is does the earth appear blue?* How do oceans clean the air?* How can we keep our oceans healthy?Volume 2Volume 2: Life in the Ocean examines life within the water, from the earliest life-forms discovered in fossils to the vast range of species swimming the seas today. Marine plants and seabirds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and even the tiniest phytoplankton are examined in depth with vivid images andfascinating facts. Throughout Life in the Ocean, threats to marine life are highlighted, including pollution, overfishing, and littering, with an eye to future conservation and protection of our oceans. Life in the Ocean answers questions such as:* What kind of marine fossils were found in the Grand Canyon?* What is a trilobite?* Do whales sing?Volume 3:Volume 3: Uses of the Ocean traces humankind's dependence on oceans through the ages, looking back to the earliest explorers and examining the surprising ways we use the sea in everyday life. Humans have harnessed the power of the sea for transportation, fishing, mining, and tidal power and seenfantastic developments -- as well as tragic disasters. This volume investigates myths about the ocean, our desire to explore and improve, and asks what damage human exploration is having on the oceans. Uses of the Ocean has answers to questions such as:* Who were Jason and the Argonauts?* What ocean did Vasco Da Gama explore?* What happens when an oil tanker spills into the ocean?Volume 4: IndexFrom School Library JournalGrade 5-10-The first three volumes in this set include The Physical Ocean, Life in the Ocean, and Uses of the Ocean.Physicalcovers why and where oceans exist and how they have changed from their creation to the present day. The second volume examines life from its earliest forms discovered in fossils to current species. The third title discusses the uses of the ocean for transportation, food, minerals, and recreation. Each chapter spread includes sidebars, and several visuals in the form of colorful diagrams, maps, and photos. The fourth book is a reference volume; it includes descriptions of the five oceans, time lines, biographies of important oceanographers, a glossary, Web and book suggestions for further information, and more. This set provides the essential facts in an appealing format for students writing reports. Similar information is found in the 12-volume Library of the Oceans (Grolier, 1998), which is for a slightly youn