From the mightiest river to the deepest spots in Earth's oceans, our aquatic ecosystems hold many secrets waiting for us to dive in and discover. Live Science keeps you updated on the latest underwater research and delivers extraordinary facts and images from our planet's rivers and oceans, past and present. So if you want to discover the largest ocean that's ever existed on Earth, the mysterious "dark river" that may flow hundreds of miles beneath Greenland or breathtaking images from our oceans, Live Science's expert writers and editors are here for you with the latest news, features and articles about rivers and oceans.
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—The Congo River Basin: Home of the deepest river in the world
Latest about Rivers & Oceans
Chinese submersible explores previously unknown giant craters at the bottom of the Pacific — and they're teeming with life
Scientists have discovered and explored a giant hydrothermal system at the bottom of the Pacific, which could provide a window into the origins of life on Earth.
Rare milky plumes paint stunning swirls in world's largest 'soda lake'
Earth from space A 2016 astronaut photo shows surprising plumes of milky material swirling in the waters of Turkey's Lake Van, the largest alkaline lake on Earth.
Rocket-like jellyfish, regal Komodo dragon and harrowing whale rescue — see the stunning Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 finalists
Finalists in the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 competition capture beautiful images of animals and people oceans.
'Rogue waves' can be 65 feet tall, but they aren't 'freak occurrences,' data from North Sea reveals
Opinion Researchers have used lab models to study how rogue waves form, but these don't always transfer over to the natural world.
Even a slight slowdown of key Atlantic currents poses a 'stunning risk' to rainforests
A slowing Atlantic current could have a devastating impact on the planet's rainforests, a new study warns.
96% of oceans worldwide experienced extreme heatwaves in 2023, new study finds
The extreme marine heatwaves of 2023 may signal a tipping point for Earth's climate, a new study suggests.
Collapse of key Atlantic currents may be held off by newly-discovered back-up system, study finds
Rising temperatures in the North Atlantic are slowing vital currents, but a new process in the Arctic could save the day, scientists say.
Perfect trio of prehistoric atolls shine like tropical gems off Australian coast
Earth from space This 2011 astronaut photo shows the atolls of Rowley Shoals lined up in a near-perfect line off the coast of Australia. The island trio was once part of an ancient barrier reef system that stretched over 1,200 miles.
