If one looks at a globe you will see the vast majority of the earth's major bodies of water are interconnected in a continuous way. Why do these same bodies have differing water levels? For instance, at the Panama canal there is a substantial difference (about 2 feet) between the water level on the atlantic side versus the pacific side. Why?

Question

If one looks at a globe you will see the vast majority of the earth's major bodies of water are interconnected in a continuous way.  Why do these same bodies have differing water levels?  For instance, at the Panama canal there is a substantial difference (about 2 feet) between the water level on the atlantic side versus the pacific side.  Why?

anonymous · Answer

Although the majority of land is covered by water, land still lies underneath the water. Depending on the amount of land in certain areas, that's what determines the depth of water.

anonymous · Answer

If I drop a marble in an aquarium will the water above the marble rise only where the marble is located?

agreene · Answer

Panama canal isn't a great example since it is man-made and also a lock system. What perfectlyimperfect said is mostly true. There is also the effect of the moon and the angular momentum of the earth's spin that alters relative depth of water