We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
World

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Which Ocean Is Saltier, the Atlantic or the Pacific?

Margaret Lipman
By
Published: Jul 12, 2025
Views: 192
Share

You probably learned in school that our planet has four oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. More recent maps also include the Southern (or Antarctic) Ocean. While having named ocean regions is a helpful tool, these oceans are all connected, with currents flowing between them. Even nearly enclosed seas such as the Mediterranean and the Red Sea are part of the same world ocean.

However, these oceans each have distinctive characteristics that set them apart, including the two largest, the Atlantic and the Pacific. For example, did you know that the Atlantic is saltier than the Pacific?

There are several factors that contribute to the higher surface salinity level of the Atlantic over its sister ocean. Overall, the Pacific receives a greater influx of freshwater than the Atlantic, both from rivers and from areas of increased rainfall, which lowers its overall salinity. The Pacific generally has lower surface temperatures, which means less evaporation, whereas the Atlantic experiences more evaporation and thus more concentrated salt levels.

Additionally, the Atlantic experiences the strong Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which transports salty water north from the tropics, creating areas of deep water in the North Atlantic with high salt concentrations. The Pacific Ocean doesn’t experience such strong overturning circulation.

Notably, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean are even saltier than the Atlantic. In those locations, seawater evaporates faster than it can be replaced by rain and other freshwater inputs, contributing to a higher overall salt content. Additionally, those seas are largely enclosed except for narrow straits, making it difficult for additional seawater to flow in.

In 2012, NASA’s Aquarius instrument made detailed observations of ocean surface salinity from space, compiling a color-coded map of the amount of salt dissolved in the water at different locations around the globe. This visually confirmed what oceanographers already knew: that the Atlantic is saltier than both the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

More about the world’s oceans:

  • By a significant margin, the Pacific is the world’s largest and deepest ocean. It has an area of roughly 63.8 million sq miles (165.25 million sq km) and an average depth of 14,040 feet (4,280 m).

  • Coming in second for both area and depth, the Atlantic Ocean covers around 41.1 million sq miles (107 million sq km) and has an average depth of 11,962 feet (3,646 m).

  • The meeting point of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans is Cape Horn. Located at the southern tip of Chile, this is a turbulent region where a strong eastward current brings water from the Pacific into the Atlantic.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Margaret Lipman
By Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range of topics. Her articles cover essential areas such as finance, parenting, health and wellness, nutrition, educational strategies. Margaret's writing is guided by her passion for enriching the lives of her readers through practical advice and well-researched information.
Discussion Comments
Margaret Lipman
Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.com/which-ocean-is-saltier-the-atlantic-or-the-pacific.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.