Fact Check: "Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface."
What We Know
The claim that "water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface" is supported by multiple credible sources. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is indeed covered by water, with the vast majority—about 96.5%—being salt water found in the oceans. This information is consistent across various educational resources, including the Bureau of Reclamation, which also states that water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface.
Analysis
The assertion that 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water is corroborated by reliable scientific organizations. The USGS is a reputable source known for its scientific research and data collection regarding natural resources and the environment. Their data indicates that the oceans hold the majority of Earth's water, which aligns with the claim.
Moreover, the NASA Space Place also confirms this statistic, emphasizing that nearly all of this water is saline. This consistency across multiple authoritative sources adds to the reliability of the claim.
In contrast, while some less authoritative sources may present variations in water coverage due to different definitions or calculations, the consensus among reputable scientific organizations remains that approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface" is accurate and is supported by multiple credible sources, including the USGS and NASA. The consistency of this statistic across reputable scientific literature reinforces its validity.
