Q1/3 W3 Depth Zones

Click the plus sign to learn about the 5 depth zones

Click the plus sign to learn about how the depth of the ocean floor changes at different locations

Click the plus sign to learn about Greek root words that describe the depth of ocean zones

Click the plus sign to watch a video about the depth zones

Ocean Depth

The ocean floor is not the same depth everywhere. On average, it is about 3,700 meters deep, but some areas are much shallower or much deeper. The deepest parts of the ocean are found in trenches, which are long, narrow depressions in the seafloor. The Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is the deepest known trench, plunging to about 11,000 meters (36,000 feet). It is deeper than Mount Everest is tall! These extreme conditions make life very challenging: the water is completely dark, near freezing, and pressure is crushing. Only specially adapted organisms can survive in this environment.

Root Words

Many ocean zone names come from Greek roots that describe their depth.

Depth Zones

Click the plus signs to learn about each zone.