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A sea (pronounced see) is a large expanse of saline
water connected with an ocean. The term is also used for large, usually saline,
lakes that lack a natural outlet, such as the Caspian Sea and the Sea of Galilee. The term is used
in a less geographically precise manner as synonymous with ocean, as in the tropical sea or down to the sea
shore, or even sea water referring to water of the ocean.
Many seas are marginal seas.
List of seas, divided by ocean
Landlocked seas
Extraterrestrial seas
Lunar maria are vast basaltic plains on the Moon that were thought to be bodies of water by early astronomers, who referred to them as "seas."
Liquid water is thought to be present under the surface of several moons, most notably Europa.
Liquid hydrocarbons are thought to be present on the surface of Titan, though it may be more accurate to describe them as "lakes" rather than "seas". The distribution of
these liquid regions will hopefully be better known after the arrival of the Cassini probe.
Science
The term "sea" has also been used in quantum physics. Dirac sea is an interpretation of the negative energy states that comprises the
vacuum.
See also: ocean, river, geography, firths of Scotland, inlet, sea salt, ship
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