Ever wondered if the immense pressure in the deep ocean keeps it from freezing? While pressure can indeed melt ice, it takes a lot to make a difference. At 500 times atmospheric pressure, ice melts at -4°C; at 1000 times, it melts at -9°C.

For saltwater, which freezes at -2°C at the surface, the freezing point drops to -6°C at 500 times atmospheric pressure and -11°C at 1000 times. Despite this, deep ocean water typically remains between 0°C and +4°C due to various factors, so it stays liquid. In essence, the ocean’s temperatures are warm enough to keep water from freezing, even though pressure has a role to play.