Standing on a beach and gazing at the ocean can be a humbling experience due to the massive amount of water present. In addition to oceans, there is water in various forms such as underground reservoirs, atmospheric vapor, lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamps, snow, glaciers, ponds, and puddles.

Notably, more than 97% of Earth’s water is contained within the oceans. Surprisingly, of the remaining 3% classified as fresh water, only 0.3% consists of familiar surface water sources like lakes and rivers that are accessible for humans and other animals. The majority of fresh water, 99.7%, exists in the form of icecaps, glaciers, groundwater, and atmospheric water vapor. Interestingly, all lakes worldwide combined hold a mere 1/250th of the volume present in glaciers and icecaps.

Overall, all water existing underground, on the surface, and in the atmosphere amounts to approximately 332 million cubic miles. This volume would create a cube with each side measuring 693 miles, spanning the distance from Indianapolis to Denver. Surprisingly, it’s hard to fathom that the water in this cube would not even fill the Pacific Ocean, highlighting the relatively shallow layer of water that makes up Earth’s oceans.

Imagine a cube solely consisting of fresh water; it would have sides measuring 202 miles and perfectly fit on top of Iowa.

Furthermore, a cube of drinkable water would have sides spanning 29 miles, neatly fitting into Rhode Island.

It’s astonishing to visualize that a cube containing all the world’s lakes and rivers would be so compact, representing the shared drinking water source for all living beings.

Let’s explore further—

Within the cube of drinking water, you could carve out a smaller cube (side length of 8 miles) encompassing all rivers, streams, and creeks worldwide, including iconic ones like the Amazon, Mississippi, and Nile. Another cube (side length of 6.5 miles) could contain all the water present inside Earth’s living organisms, fitting neatly over Queens and Brooklyn.

For a playful analogical exercise, picture each of the Great Lakes housed in separate cubes placed alongside their respective lakes:

Now, let’s break down the oceans individually, even including a miniature cube for the Mediterranean Sea:

To summarize:

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