BELOW
THE SURFACEAN OCEAN EXHIBITION
CHELONIA MYDAS

FROM THE SURFACE TO 11,000 M

Explore the ocean
by depth.

Meet the animals that live
far below the surface.

Start the descent
0 M AT THE SURFACEFIVE DEPTH ZONES · 0–~11,000 MSCROLL TO EXPLORE ↓
01 / 05Epipelagic0–200 m

0–200 m · THE SUNLIGHT ZONE

Sunlight supports
algae and plants.

Algae and marine plants use sunlight to make food through photosynthesis. Some of this material sinks, providing food for animals below.

Enough light for photosynthesis
Green sea turtleChelonia mydasEXAMPLE DEPTH · 30 m
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

Green turtles surface to breathe

Green sea turtles breathe air and return to the surface between dives. Adults feed mainly on seagrasses and algae.

↓ CONTINUE TO TWILIGHT≈ 4 atmospheres at 30 m
02 / 05Mesopelagic200–1,000 m

200–1,000 m · THE TWILIGHT ZONE

Sunlight fades
below 200 m.

Between 200 and 1,000 metres, sunlight becomes too weak for photosynthesis. Sinking particles of dead organisms and waste, called marine snow, provide food.

Too little light for photosynthesis
Vampire squidVampyroteuthis infernalisEXAMPLE DEPTH · 700 m
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

Feeding on marine snow

Vampire squid collect these particles with two thin, sticky filaments. They draw the filaments through their arms to gather the food.

↓ CONTINUE TO MIDNIGHT≈ 71 atmospheres at 700 m
03 / 05Bathypelagic1,000–4,000 m

1,000–4,000 m · THE MIDNIGHT ZONE

Animals produce
their own light.

Sunlight does not reach this zone. Some animals produce light through chemical reactions, called bioluminescence, to attract prey, communicate or avoid predators.

No sunlight below 1,000 m
Black seadevilMelanocetus johnsoniiEXAMPLE DEPTH · 1,500 m
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

A lure that attracts prey

A female black seadevil has a lure above her mouth. Bacteria inside it produce light that attracts small fish and crustaceans.

↓ CONTINUE TO ABYSS≈ 150 atmospheres at 1,500 m
04 / 05Abyssopelagic4,000–6,000 m

4,000–6,000 m · THE ABYSS ZONE

Feeding on
the seafloor.

On the abyssal plains, sinking organic material collects in soft sediment. Animals on the seafloor feed on these remains.

No sunlight reaches the abyssal plains
Sea pigScotoplanes spp.EXAMPLE DEPTH · 4,500 m
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

Sea cucumbers with long tube feet

Sea pigs walk across the mud on long tube feet. They feed on fresh detritus: particles of decaying organisms and other organic material.

↓ CONTINUE TO HADAL≈ 448 atmospheres at 4,500 m
05 / 05Hadopelagic6,000–~11,000 m

6,000–~11,000 m · THE HADAL ZONE

Pressure in
the deep trenches.

Ocean trenches extend from about 6,000 to 11,000 metres. At 11,000 metres, pressure is roughly 1,100 times that at the surface.

Permanent darkness
Illustration of a trench floor with sediment, scattered rocks and a steep wall
RESEARCH LIGHT · ILLUSTRATED TRENCH
Move light with touch, mouse or arrow keys

Seafloor sediment Fine particles and organic material collect on the trench floor.

Animals in the trenches Amphipods, sea cucumbers and microbes live in hadal habitats under high pressure.

↓ DEPTH ZONE SUMMARY BELOW≈ 1,094 atmospheres near 11,000 m

REVIEW THE DEPTH ZONES

The ocean’s
five depth zones.

As depth increases, sunlight decreases and pressure rises.
Choose a zone to revisit its conditions and animals.

Sunlight0–200 mTwilight200–1,000 mMidnight1,000–4,000 mAbyss4,000–6,000 mHadal6,000–~11,000 m
ABOUT THIS EXHIBITION

Sources and
illustration notes.

The chapters show habitats from different parts of the ocean. Scroll distance is not proportional to depth, and an animal may live in more than one zone. The depths shown beside the animals are examples within their habitats.

Pressure estimates include air pressure at the surface, plus one atmosphere for every 10.06 m of water. The animals and habitats are illustrated. The viewing light helps you see their shape.

Scientific references
  1. NOAA · Light and the five depth zones
  2. NOAA · Pressure increases with depth
  3. NOAA Fisheries · Green turtle
  4. MBARI · Vampire squid
  5. MBARI · Anglerfish and luminous lures
  6. Natural History Museum · Black seadevil depth
  7. Australian Museum · Black seadevil size
  8. MBARI · Sea pig
  9. NOAA · The hadal zone

Sources checked: 31 August 2026. This independent exhibition is not affiliated with the organisations cited.