Welcome! Before we tell you about some amazing creatures in the Pacific Ocean, you need to first understand the layers in the oceans. There are two main layers in all oceans: the photic zone and the aphotic zone. The photic zone is the top layer in all oceans. It reaches 200 meters below the surface. This is as deep as light can reach, so all the animals that need light to survive live in this area. The water below 200 meters is the aphotic zone. It reaches from 200 meters to the bottom. Most creatures in this area depend on the photic zone above for energy. If animals in the photic zone wander into the aphotic zone, they're as good as dead. Animals in the aphotic zone will feed on any organisms that wander into their zone.
The aphotic zone is divided into two parts- the bathyal zone and the abyssal zone. The bathyal zone extends from 200 meters to 2000 meters. The abyssal zone extends from 2000 meters to the bottom. Creatures in this area must be able to live in complete darkness and in close to freezing water.
Now that we are done telling about the layers in all oceans, click one of the following for some cool facts!
Picture by Eunice Edwards