The Ocean Zones

The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth’s total surface and contains roughly 97% of all its water. Measuring about 361.9 million square kilometers, it is a massive continuous body of salt water, so large in fact that oceanographers estimate that less than 20% has been explored. While there is one global ocean, it is generally divided up into five major basins: the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, the Southern, and the Arctic.

With an average depth of 3,700 meters, experts have also divided the world ocean into various zones based on depth from the surface for ease of oceanographic studies. The ocean is divided into zones depending on how far light reaches:

• Sunlight Zone
• Twilight Zone
• Deep Ocean (which is often divided into 3 layers: Midnight zone, the Abyss and the Trenches)

Ocean Sunlight Zone

Aptly named for its position at the surface level, this sunlight zone, also called the surface zone or epipelagic zone, extends downward 200 meters or roughly 5% of the ocean’s average depth. At midday, it is practically fully lit by the sun, hence called the sunlight zone. It is also regarded as the warmest layer. An abundance of natural light also generates heat, which penetrates deeper waters due to the movement of the wind. Depending on location, the temperature of the epipelagic zone can go as high as 97 degrees Fahrenheit or drop as far 28 degrees.Enough sunlight penetrates this layer for algae to utilize photosynthesis, which in turn creates roughly 50% of the oxygen in our atmosphere. The surface zone is where the majority of commercial fishing takes place and is home to many kinds of animals, including whales, dolphins, and sharks, many of whom frequently break the ocean’s surface.

Ocean Twilight Zone

The twilight zone or the mesopelagic zone begins at 200 meters and extends downward to 1,000 meters, making up approximately 20% percent of the ocean’s total depth. It is generally a very dim region, but it does receive a sliver of sunlight at the midday point which is enough for photosynthesis to occur. The twilight zone actually plays a large role in regulating our planet; the ocean absorbs roughly 25% of the carbon dioxide humans emit and pushes it down to the deep ocean, preventing it from rereleasing into the atmosphere. Unlike the surface zone, this second layer has remained relatively untouched from commercial fishing despite the fact that it is bursting with aquatic life. The mesopelagic zone is also where experts have first noted the existence of bioluminescent creatures. Temperature changes here are the most extreme. This is in part due to the thermocline, a transitional region where warmer water decreases rapidly.

The Deep Ocean

The deep ocean—the third and final layer—extends from the 1,000 meter point to the ocean floor, regardless of how deep that is. At minimum, it makes up 75% of the ocean’s depth. It is a frigid region that receives absolutely no natural light. The organisms that live in this zone are bioluminescent; that is to say they produce and emit their own light. Examples of these creatures include certain types of plankton, jellyfish, squid, and the nightmarish barbeled dragonfish. Living in complete darkness, they have light-sensitive eyes that allow them to sense each other’s presence. The deep ocean is further divided into 3 zones: Midnight zone, the Abyss and the Trenches

Ocean Midnight Zone

The midnight zone is also known as the bathypelagic zone makes up the first third of the deep ocean in the three layers model. It extends downward from 1,000 meters to 4,000—roughly the average depth of the global ocean. The temperature rarely changes, remaining at a fairly consistent 39 degrees Fahrenheit. As mentioned earlier, the only light in this regions does not come from the sun, but from bioluminescent animals who use their ability to hunt or find a mate. Some go for days living in complete darkness. However, there are a few sea creatures who swim this far down to feed, such as sperm whales. In fact, being fifteen times the size of the epipelagic zone, the bathypelagic is generally regarded as the world’s largest ecosystem.

The Abyss

The abyss (abyssopelagic zone) is the middle layer of the deep ocean. Its name comes from the Greek word abyss which means “no bottom.” True to its name, there was a time when the ancients believed that the ocean was a bottomless void. It extends from 4,000 meters down to 6,000, which for some global regions marks the seafloor. The water temperature never rises above near freezing. There is a startling lack of life in the abyssopelagic zone; only a select few creatures can survive the immense pressure, such as invertebrates.

The Trenches

The trenches (hadalpelagic zone) is the deepest part of the ocean. It extends past the abyssopelagic zone in parts of the world where that is physically possible; this is usually in the form of deep sea trenches and canyons. An example of such a marvel is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, which marks the deepest location on Earth at 11,034 meters, a depth so deep that Mount Everest would be completely submerged if placed at the bottom. The pressure is so intense that it equates to the approximate weight of 48 Boeing 747 jets. Even so, life does exist in this zone. The abyssobrotula galatheae—a species of eel—was discovered at 8,372 meters in the Puerto Rico Trench in 1970.

Providing Better Insight

The ocean is a vast expanse of water that covers more of the Earth’s surface than land. Regardless, expert oceanographers have managed to divide it up into various layers. While there is crossover between the three and five layers concepts, particularly within the first two layers, this article has examined the unique characteristics of each zone. The ocean remains one of the most mysterious places on our tiny blue planet, but breakdowns such as this help provide better insight into its awe-inspiring wonder.