Ann Marilyn Falk, aged 8, of Bronx,'NY, or her question:

Is the Atlantic or the Pacific the deepest?

The Pacific Ocean is without doubt the largest ocean in the world, Its waters cover well over a quarter of the entire earth Next in order of size come the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. In the measurement, the North and South Atlantic Oceans are counted as one ocean.

The Pacific Ocean also holds the world's record for depth. It has the greatest average depth and the greatest holes in the world are found in its floor. The average depth of the Pacific is estimated to be over 14,000 feet. The average depth of the Atlantic is estimated to be almost 13,000 feet. The average depth of the Pacific floor is over a thousand feet below that of the Atlantic.

The Indian Ocean is somewhat smaller than the Atlantic Ocean. However, it is a little deeper than the Atlantic. In depth it rates second to the Pacific.

The deepest spots on the ocean floor are in the Pacific. Some 200 miles southwest of the island of Guam there is a hole estimated to be 35,610 feet deep.