Exoplanet Discoveries and Updates

[stevebowers]

If the surface of an ocean planet is calm enough, and there is sufficient carbon and other trace elements in the atmosphere or hydrosphere to allow growth and/or construction, an ocean planet could be settled using large rafts freefloating on the surface. These could be large enough to allow agriculture or the cultivation of parklands or wildernesses, and the floating platforms could also support cities and other buildings, solar panels, and could collect fresh water from rainfall. Fresh water is lighter than salt water, so could float on seawater if confined within some kind of waterproof receptacle.

In other words the population of an ocean planet need not all be marine clades; there is plenty of room for land-based sophonts as well.