Why Is the Ocean So Salty?

The ocean is salty because it has been collecting salt from the land for a very long time.

Imagine you have a big bowl of water, and you’re adding tiny bits of salt to it every day, like when you sprinkle salt on your food. Over many years, those little bits add up until the water tastes really salty. That's what happens with the ocean!

When it rains, water from the rain runs over the land and picks up tiny pieces of rock and soil, which are full of salt. This salty water flows into rivers, and then the rivers carry it all the way to the ocean.

It's like when you wash your hands in the sink, the water carries away little bits of soap or dirt from your skin. In this case, the water is carrying salt from the land to the sea.

Every day, more salty water flows into the ocean. Even though some water evaporates and leaves the salt behind, there’s always more coming in, just like how your bowl of water gets saltier every time you add a little bit more!