• Question: Why is the ocean blue?

    Asked by leeliebert to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 20 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Damien Hall

      Damien Hall answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Hi @leeliebert

      It’s not – it’s actually transparent! It only looks blue sometimes (not often enough in the UK!) because its surface reflects the blue sky. when the sky is blue. I’m looking out at the ocean now, for example (sorry to make you jealous – my flat overlooks the sea!), and it’s greenish. This is kind of a reflection of the grey clouds above, combined with some colour from the sea-bed, which isn’t very far below at this point, since I’m on the shore.

      Does that answer the question?

    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Hi @leelibert
      I was by the sea earlier, and it looked lovely and green. But I’m back far away from the sae again.

      Apparently the sea will only look blue if the bottom of the ocean is sandy. If it’s rocky it will look gray.

      Hope this helps!

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