abyssal zone

noun

Meaning

The layer of the ocean floor at depths between 4,000 and 6,000 meters, characterized by perpetual darkness, near-freezing temperatures, and high hydrostatic pressure.

Examples

  • Many creatures living in the abyssal zone have evolved bioluminescence to attract prey in the total darkness.
  • Scientists use specialized deep-sea submersibles to explore the extreme environment of the abyssal zone.

Synonyms: abyss, deep sea, ocean floor, pelagic zone