Why are the seas and oceans salty?
The salt comes from dissolved rock salt, that's why it's there. So perhaps the question is, why aren't lakes and rivers generally salty? The answer is the water cycle.
The Short Answer
The salt comes from dissolved rock salt, that's why it's there. So perhaps the question is, why aren't lakes and rivers generally salty? The answer is the water cycle. Everything drains into the oceans, where water evaporates and then falls as rain. Salt, however, does not evaporate with water. So the salt collects in the oceans, and other low-lying lakes that don't have external drainage (for example, the dead sea, or the great salt lake).
Analysis
Key Concepts: Salt, water, lakes
This explanation focuses on salt, water, lakes and spans 75 words across 6 sentences. The depth is typical for Nature questions (category average: 71 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “The salt comes from dissolved rock salt, that's why it's there.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in Nature
Ranked #212 of 500 Nature questions by answer depth (top 43%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why the seas and oceans salty?
The salt comes from dissolved rock salt, that's why it's there. So perhaps the question is, why aren't lakes and rivers generally salty? The answer is the water cycle. Everything drains into the oceans, where water evaporates and then falls as rain….
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Nature questions?
This is an above-average answer at 75 words, ranked #212 of 500 Nature questions by depth. The key concepts covered are salt, water, lakes.
What approach does this answer take to explain the seas and oceans salty?
The explanation uses concrete examples and contrasting perspectives across 75 words. It is categorized under Nature and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.