Cultural perceptions of the ocean as a void or an empty space give a grave misrepresentation of the ocean's true nature. Contrary to the idea of emptiness, the ocean is an intricate, dynamic engine of the Earth teeming with diverse life and physicochemical processes, writes Helen Czerski.

"Other maps are such shapes, with their islands and capes!
But we've got our brave Captain to thank

(So the crew would protest) "that he's bought us the best—
A perfect and absolute blank!"

Lewis Carroll, “The Hunting of the Snark”