Interactive Data
Ocean Explorer
Journey through five ocean depth zones, discover unique ecosystems, and explore real oceanographic data from the world's major ocean basins.
Five Ocean Depth Zones
Click any zone to explore its unique characteristics, inhabitants, and scientific data.
Depth Profile
Sunlight Zone0 – 200m
Twilight Zone200 – 1,000m
Midnight Zone1,000 – 4,000m
Abyssal Zone4,000 – 6,000m
Hadal Zone6,000 – 11,034m
Zone Data
Temperature
28°C avg
Pressure
1–20 atm
Light Level
100%
Known Species
90% of all marine life
Epipelagic
Sunlight Zone
0 – 200m
The sunlight zone receives enough light for photosynthesis. It's home to the vast majority of ocean life including most fish, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and the phytoplankton that produce 50% of Earth's oxygen.
Key Facts
- Phytoplankton produce 50% of Earth's oxygen here
- Home to 90% of known marine species
- Temperature varies dramatically by latitude
- Depth limit for coral reef formation
Notable Creatures
Blue WhaleHammerhead SharkSea TurtleManta RayClownfish
Pressure at Depth
Epipelagic
1–20 atm
Mesopelagic
20–100 atm
Bathypelagic
100–400 atm
Abyssopelagic
400–600 atm
Hadalpelagic
600–1,100 atm
World Ocean Regions
Earth has five major ocean basins, each with distinct characteristics, currents, and ecosystems.
Pacific Ocean
Largest and deepest ocean, containing more than half of Earth's oceanic water.
Notable Features
Mariana TrenchRing of FireGreat Barrier ReefCoral Triangle
Surface Area
165.25M km²
Avg Depth
4,188m
Max Depth
11,034m (Mariana Trench)
Total Volume
710M km³