Ocean Zones
Which ocean zone is the brightest and warmest?
Sunlight zone
What is the deepest part of the ocean floor?
Ocean trench
What mainly causes ocean waves?
Wind blowing across the surface
Tiny producers that float in the water are called ____.
Plankton
Name one way humans harm marine ecosystems.
Pollution / oil spills / overfishing / reef damage
Which zone has very little light and colder temperatures?
Twilight Zone
Which feature forms when an underwater volcano rises above water?
Volcanic island
Which tides have the highest high tides and lowest low tides?
Spring tides
Which zone is covered at high tide and exposed at low tide?
Intertidal zone
Why is plastic dangerous to marine animals?
Animals swallow it or get tangled, which can kill them.
Which zone is completely dark and extremely cold?
Midnight Zone
What extreme environment releases super-hot water from cracks in the ocean floor?
Hydrothermal vents
During which moon phases do spring tides occur?
New moon & full moon
Why are plankton important to the marine food web?
They are primary producers; many animals depend on them.
How does overfishing harm the ocean?
It reduces fish populations and disrupts food webs.
Why do most ocean animals live in the sunlight zone?
It has sunlight for photosynthesis and warm temperatures that support life.
What do we call large, flat areas on the deep ocean floor?
Abyssal plains
During which moon phases do neap tides occur?
First quarter & third quarter
What type of marine animals live attached or on the ocean floor?
Benthos
Why are coral reefs important?
They are habitats for many species; they protect coastlines.
What adaptation allows some deep-sea animals to glow in the dark?
Bioluminescence
What type of mountain range runs through the ocean floor?
Mid-ocean ridge
Why do tides change throughout the month?
The Moon and Sun’s gravitational pull changes as the Moon orbits Earth.
What makes hydrothermal vent ecosystems unique?
Life thrives using chemical energy instead of sunlight.
How does climate change affect the ocean?
Warmer waters harm wildlife, coral reefs, and ecosystems.