QUESTION:
What are you learning from the warm ocean that helps you 
understand the cold ocean waters?

        From Mrs. Squicciarini's 5th grade class
             Mr. Horstmann's 5th grade class
             West Babylon, Long Island, New York

ANSWER from Dave Karl, Oceanographer, University of Hawaii
        Thu, 20 Feb 1997 08:33:12 -1000 (HST)

Dear Fifth Graders,

The oceans of the earth are all connected and interdependent.  Regardless
of the great distances, the ocean off Hawaii is tied closely to the ocean
off Antarctica.  Nutrients and heat are exchanged and certain plants and
animals freely exchange between the basins.  More importantly, by
comparing and contrasting areas around the globe we gain a better
understanding of these connections as well as the differences.  
This helps us to solve the mysteries of life on earth.

Thanks for your question.
Dave Karl