1. The Epipelagic refers to the section of ocean from 0-660 ft deep.
Sunlight can penetrate this section of ocean and plants can photosynthesize. For this reason, plants and animals are largely concentrated in this zone. Recreational scuba divers operate at a depth of between 100-130 feet.
2. The Mesopelagic zone refers to the section of ocean from 660-3,300 ft deep
This section is also referred to as the twilight zone because it starts at a depth where one 1% of light reaches and ends where there is no light whatsoever. Because plants cannot photosynthesize, life in this zone subsists on bacteria and scraps of dead plants and animals.
3. The World records for diving only reached the Mesopelagic zone
Herbert Nitsch holds the title for the deepest recorded free dive, reaching a depth of 702 ft. Ahmed Gabr completed the deepest recorded scuba dive at 1,090 feet. The US Navy set the record for the deepest human dive in an atmospheric suit reaching a depth of 2,000 ft.
4. The Bathypelagic is called the Midnight zone and covers a depth of 3,300-13,000 ft.
At this depth the ocean is 100% pitch black apart from the light given off by bioluminescent organisms. It takes the sperm whale, the deepest diving mammal, 90 minutes to complete their deepest dive at 3,280 feet. The Wreck of the Titanic is in this zone at 12,080 ft.
5. The Abyssopelagic, or Lower midnight zone, covers a depth of 13,000 ft to the ocean floor.
This zone is in perpetual darkness, and makes up 83% of the ocean and 60% of the earth. Organisms living here have evolved to withstand extreme cold and pressure, be able to hunt in total darkness, and survive on very little food. Animals here have a slower metabolism and require less oxygen than their counterparts living in shallower water.
6. The Hadopelagic is known as the “Hades” Zone and covers the deepest regions of the ocean lying in oceanic trenches
This zone covers trenches from 20,000-36,000 ft deep, including the deepest point in the ocean, The Mariana Trench at 35,814 ft. For reference, Mt Everest reaches a height of 29,029 feet.
7. More people have been to the moon than the Mariana Trench.
Only 3 people have made it to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The first two were Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh, who completed a successful expedition in 1960. The third was director James Cameron in 2012, making him the current record holder of the deepest solo dive ever. In contrast, 12 people have walked on the moon and 22 have orbited it.