Oceans cover two thirds of the Earth's surface and are the driving force behind our weather systems, taking warm and cold water around the globe. Understanding solar radiation, currents, and rising sea levels are vital starting points to understanding and dealing with global warming, and this book covers these and many more essential topics in easily accessible chunks. Join expert authors on a tour of the world's oceans, taking in waves, continental shelves, icebergs, underwater forests, monsoons, and coral reefs along the way. Learn about the different characteristics of the world's major oceans, the amazing array of marine life that exists at different depths, how tides work, and what pollution is doing to the seas. There's never been a more important time to get to grips with how the oceans work.