3. THE EPIPELAGIC OR THE SUNLIGHT ZONE
• Epipelagic or the Sunlight Zone- The very first
layer is most commonly called the Sunlight zone
but its scientific name is the Epipelagic Zone.
This zone starts at the surface of the sea and
extends 656 feet deep (200 meters). This zone is
the lightest zone, that's why it's called the
Sunlight Zone. Since the sun shines on this layer
the most the water is very warm. Most plants and
animals spend there lives upon this layer. Most
sharks are found in this zone as well.
4. THE MESOPELAGIC OR TWILIGHT ZONE
• Mesopelagic or Twilight Zone- The zone below the
Sunlight Zone is title the Twilight or Mesopelagic
Zone. This zone is 600-3,300 feet. The water
temperature is cooler than the twilight zone and
can get as cold as 41 degrees F. Very littlie light
reaches this zone so it is relatively cold. In this
zone we start to see the "twinkling" lights of the
bioluminescent creatures. A variety of unusual
creatures can be found in this zone.
5. THE BATHYPELAGIC OR THE DARK ZONE
• Bathypelagic or the Dark Zone- This next zone is darker,
colder, and scarier than the other two. It extends from
1000 meters to 4000 meters deep!!! The only light that is
visible is created by the creatures that live down there.
Even though the water pressure down there is massive, a
surprising amount of sea animals can be found in this
layer. Many Sperm Whales dive down to this layer in
search for food. Many animals that live in this layer are
black or red due to the shortage of light. This zones
temperature is 35 degrees F. little food can be found here.
6. THE ABYSSOPELAGIC OR ABYSS ZONE
• Abyssopelagic or Abyss Zone- The fourth zone is named
the Abyssopelagic Zone or the Abyss. It extends from
4000 meters to 6000 meters. The name, Abyssopelagic,
comes from the Greek word meaning "no bottom." The
water temperature is close to freezing and there is
absolutely no light. Not many creatures live in this layer.
The few that do live here are invertebrates such as
squids. Interesting enough the mud that is on this layer is
made from the small skeletons of the sea creatures that
used to live here.
7. THE HADALPELAGIC OR TRENCHES ZONE
• Hadalpelagic or Trenches Zone- The last zone that lays at
the very, very, very, bottom of the ocean is the forbidden
Hadalpelagic zone also called Trenches. This layer
extends from 6000 meters to 10,000 meters.. These areas
are usually found in deep water trenches and canyons.
The water pressure is so high and the temperature is
freezing. Despite these obstacles under sea life can be
found here. Invertebrates such as star fish and tube
worms are able to thrive in this layer. Other animals that
may live in this layer must be adapted to the freezing
temperature.
