layers of the ocean
This top layer of the ocean, extending up to 200 meters deep, receives the most sunlight and supports the majority of marine life.
Epipelagic/sunlight zone
The largest ocean, covering more than 63 million square miles, lies between Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Antarctica.
This green, leafy ocean plant is often found in sushi and is a staple in many Asian cuisines.
Seaweed/nori
This large marine mammal, known for its songs, migrates thousands of miles between feeding and breeding grounds each year.
Whale
Covering more than 70% of the Earth's surface, this is the largest and most mysterious feature of our planet.
Ocean
This layer ranges from 200 to 1,000 meters below the surface, where light begins to fade and bioluminescent organisms are common.
Mesopelagic/twilight zone
The Mediterranean Sea connects to this ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Atlantic Ocean
These underwater forests, made up of large brown algae, provide habitats for many marine species along coastlines.
Kelp
This fish, known for its vibrant blue and yellow stripes, became famous as the forgetful character in the movie Finding Nemo.
Blue tang/Dory
This massive coral reef system off the coast of Australia is the largest living structure on Earth and can even be seen from space.
Great Barrier Reef
This zone, from 1,000 to 4,000 meters deep, is completely dark, and its name comes from a Greek word meaning "without bottom."
Bathypelagic/midnight zone
This body of water, bordered by Europe to the north and Africa to the south, is known for its historic trade routes and ancient civilizations.
Mediterranean Sea
This type of ocean flora, found in shallow, tropical waters, has a hard, calcium carbonate structure and forms reefs.
Coral
This invertebrate, known for its soft body and tentacles, can sting its prey with specialized cells called nematocysts.
Jellyfish
Over 50% of this essential gas for life on Earth is produced by tiny marine organisms known as phytoplankton in the ocean.
Oxygen
At depths between 4,000 and 6,000 meters, this layer is named after the Greek word for "deep," and it covers the ocean floor in most places.
Abyssopelagi zone/the abyss
This third-largest ocean, bordered by Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Indian subcontinent, is home to the island nations of Madagascar and Sri Lanka.
Indian Ocean
This type of flowering marine plant forms dense underwater meadows in shallow coastal waters, providing habitat and food for many marine species, including sea turtles and manatees.
Seagrass
This apex predator of the ocean is known for its speed, powerful jaws, and rows of sharp teeth.
Great white shark
This oceanic phenomenon, also called a "tidal wave," is caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
Tsunami
The deepest part of the ocean, this zone extends beyond 6,000 meters into deep-sea trenches, including the Mariana Trench.
Hadalpelagic/hadal zone
Known for being the saltiest major body of water on Earth, this sea is bordered by Jordan to the east.
Dead Sea
This microscopic, photosynthetic organism is the base of the marine food web and is responsible for producing a large portion of the Earth's oxygen.
Phytoplankton
This intelligent marine mammal is known for its complex communication, high intelligence, and playful behavior, and is often seen riding waves near boats.
Dolphin
Every night, billions of marine animals, like zooplankton, travel vertically from the deep ocean to the surface in the largest daily movement of animals on Earth.
Migration