The Names of the ZonesThe Names of the Zones

• The top is the Sunlit ZoneThe top is the Sunlit Zone

• The middle is the Twilight ZoneThe middle is the Twilight Zone

• The bottom is the Dark or Midnight The bottom is the Dark or Midnight ZoneZone

• The absolute bottom is the AbyssThe absolute bottom is the Abyss

The Sunlit ZoneThe Sunlit Zone• The sunlit zone is the top layer of about 660 feet of waterThe sunlit zone is the top layer of about 660 feet of water• It is the warmest zone because it gets the most sunlightIt is the warmest zone because it gets the most sunlight• Marine life thrives here and because of the Sun, Marine life thrives here and because of the Sun,

photosynthesis can occur photosynthesis can occur • The sunlit zone is mostly wide open, so there aren’t many The sunlit zone is mostly wide open, so there aren’t many

natural hiding spotsnatural hiding spots• Unfortunately pollution and lost fishing equipment cover Unfortunately pollution and lost fishing equipment cover

many areas with waste large enough to become a hiding many areas with waste large enough to become a hiding spot for prey escaping predatorsspot for prey escaping predators

• You would find some of these animals in this zone: coral; You would find some of these animals in this zone: coral; anemones; fish like marlin, swordfish, lionfish, starfish, anemones; fish like marlin, swordfish, lionfish, starfish, sharks & tuna; mammals like sea lions, dolphins, orcas, sea sharks & tuna; mammals like sea lions, dolphins, orcas, sea otters, whales; sea turtles; octopi and many moreotters, whales; sea turtles; octopi and many more

The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone

• The twilight zone goes from 660 feet – about 3,900 feetThe twilight zone goes from 660 feet – about 3,900 feet• The animals that live in the twilight zone must be The animals that live in the twilight zone must be

adapted to colder temperatures, and higher pressure adapted to colder temperatures, and higher pressure • Most animals living here are either red or black making Most animals living here are either red or black making

them blend in with the almost pitch-blackness them blend in with the almost pitch-blackness • Some animals even have built in “head lights” which Some animals even have built in “head lights” which

are actually organs in their body called photophoresare actually organs in their body called photophores• Animals you might find here are: many types of squid, Animals you might find here are: many types of squid,

sperm whales, hatchet fish, viper fish, eels, deep-sea sperm whales, hatchet fish, viper fish, eels, deep-sea anglerfish and deep-sea sharksanglerfish and deep-sea sharks

The Midnight or Dark Zone The Midnight or Dark Zone

• This zone goes from 3,900 feet – 13,800 feetThis zone goes from 3,900 feet – 13,800 feet• This is the coldest zone by farThis is the coldest zone by far• Water pressure here can be up to 8 tons per Water pressure here can be up to 8 tons per

square inchsquare inch• There are no plants hereThere are no plants here• We know more about the Moon than we do about We know more about the Moon than we do about

the ocean deepthe ocean deep• The creatures here look more like aliens from a The creatures here look more like aliens from a

50’s sci-fi movie50’s sci-fi movie• Most of the animals you would find here are sea Most of the animals you would find here are sea

cucumbers, tripod fish or sea urchinscucumbers, tripod fish or sea urchins

The AbyssThe Abyss

• The abyss is 13,800 feet deep – 20,400 The abyss is 13,800 feet deep – 20,400 feet deepfeet deep

• The mud here can be up to a mile thick The mud here can be up to a mile thick because of animals skeletons!because of animals skeletons!

• We know very, very little about this zoneWe know very, very little about this zone• The abyss holds the abyssal plain (hence The abyss holds the abyssal plain (hence

the name)the name)• There is almost no sign of life hereThere is almost no sign of life here• The animals here found here are mostly The animals here found here are mostly

the same as in the Dark Zone the same as in the Dark Zone

The TrenchesThe Trenches

• The deepest point in the deepest trench is The deepest point in the deepest trench is Challenger Deep, and it is 35,800 feet deepChallenger Deep, and it is 35,800 feet deep

• The deepest trench is the Mariana Trench at The deepest trench is the Mariana Trench at about 35,800 feet below sea levelabout 35,800 feet below sea level

• Trenches can be thousands of miles long, but are Trenches can be thousands of miles long, but are only a few miles wideonly a few miles wide

• Usually v - shaped depressions in the ocean floorUsually v - shaped depressions in the ocean floor• The only thing deeper than the abyssal plainThe only thing deeper than the abyssal plain• No animals can withstand the pressure this deepNo animals can withstand the pressure this deep

BibliographyBibliography

Thanks to:Thanks to:

WebsitesWebsites

• http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep6c.htm

• http://www.enotes.com/earth-science/ocean-trenches