A machine called the ocean

What exactly is the ocean? Is it a sandy beach, surf and colourful fish in coral reefs, or is it a dangerous element? In her new book, Helen Czerski sees it as a complex, planet-wide physical engine, governed exclusively by natural laws, which has a decisive influence on every aspect of our lives. We will be gradually introduced to its structure and layers, explore undersea processes, and encounter plankton, penguins and kings of the seas, such as tuna and whales. Above all, however, we will understand that everything is connected and that this engine is so finely tuned that even seemingly unrelated human activities can disrupt its functioning, which can have unforeseeable consequences. You will not have to wade through lots of complex physics: the findings of oceanography are presented in the book in the most accessible way possible, using real-life examples from all corners of the world. But one thing is for sure: from now on, you will see the ocean in a completely different way.

How did knowledge of physical processes in the ocean help in the discovery of the wreck of the Titanic?
What use can blue whale droppings be in the sea?
How did zooplankton influence the lives of women in Scottish fishing villages?
Is there light and warmth in the depths of the ocean, or darkness and cold?