1. FATHOMS BELOW A Look at Ocean Layers
This Powerpoint presentation aligns with the Olathe 5th grade Science Curriculum. It meets the Earth Science Outcomes for Knowledge (Communicate Understanding of ocean Interactions) and the Objective for said outcome (Identify and communicate how organisms have adapted to ocean depths and other ocean variables).

2. Click on a zone to find out more information!
What are the Zones?
Click on a zone to find out more information!
Sunlit Zone
Twilight Zone
Dark Zone
Abyss
Trenches

3. SUNLIT ZONE (also known as Epipelagic Zone)
It is the most productive layer. The water is very warm because the sun hits here. It lies just beneath the surface of the ocean and extends down to 600 feet.
Because the sun provides light to this zone, all plants (like seaweed) live in this zone. The plants use the sun to complete the process of photosynthesis.
Learn about the Animals of the Sunlit Zone

4. ANIMALS OF THE SUNLIT (Epipelagic) ZONE
More than 90% of all Ocean Life is in this zone (because of the warmth and plant life).
FISH of many types (like the Lantern Fish and Spiny Eel) live in this zone.
Also living in the Sunlit Zone are many invertebrates, like the Sea Sponge and Crab.
Mammals, large and small, live in the Sunlit Zone as well.
Even birds, like the Emperor Penguin, live in the Sunlit zone.
Return to Zones

5. TWILIGHT ZONE (also known as Mesopelagic Zone)
The Twilight Zone extends down to 3, 3oo ft. Very little sunlight reaches this zone, so temperatures can get down to 40° F. Because very little sun reaches here, plants can not grow.
Learn about the Animals of the Twilight Zone

6. ANIMALS OF THE TWILIGHT (Mesopelagic) ZONE
In this zone that we begin to see the twinkling lights of bioluminescent creatures. Bioluminescent creatures are animals that produce their own light. A great diversity of strange and bizarre fishes can be found here.
Glow worms use their pale green lights to attract other animals to eat.
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7. DARK ZONE (also known as Bathypelagic Zone)
This zone extends down to 13, 200 ft below sea level. It is pitch dark in this zone. About 90% of the Ocean is in this Zone.
Learn about the Animals of the Dark Zone

8. ANIMALS OF THE DARK (Bathypelagic)ZONE
The water pressure at this depth is very high, but a surprisingly large number of creatures can be found here. Sperm whales can dive down to this level in search of food. Most of the animals that live at these depths are black or red in color due to the lack of light.
This sea cucumber (left) uses TUBERS to move on the ocean floor.
Click here to hear what Dori and Merlin had to say about this creature from the Dark Zone
This vampire squid can turn it’s internal lights “on and off” to hide from prey!
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9. ABYSS (also known as Abyssopelagic Zone)
Watch this exploration of the abyss!
The abyss extends down to 19,800 feet below the surface. The thick mud is composed of the skeletons of animals. The mud can reach over a mile thick! The water temperature is near freezing, and there is no light at all. Very few creatures can be found in the Abyss. Most of the animals that can live here are invertebrates such as basket stars and tiny squids.
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10. TRENCHES (also known as Hadal Zone)
This area of the ocean would consist of any area plunging farther down than 19,800 feet. These areas are mostly in underwater trenches or canyons. Even with the unimaginable pressures and cold temperatures, life can be found here. Invertebrates such as starfish and tube worms can survive at these depths.
Return to Zones

11. Reference List
Knight, J. (1997). Discover the ocean layers. Retrieved Sep. 16, 2005, from Sea and Sky Web site:
Light zones (2002). Retrieved Sep. 17, 2005, from Temperate Oceans Web site:
Ocean zones. (2005). Retrieved Sep. 16, 2005, from Nature Works Web site: