The aphotic zone of the ocean receives less than one percent of sunlight penetration. It extends from between 200 to 1,000 m, or 660 to 3,300 ft, down to the seafloor. Learn about the characteristics of this zone and the adaptations the...

Explore deep underground and deep in the ocean to discover what lies beneath the surface. Don't stop until the final destination: the core of the Earth.

Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the different zones of the ocean.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the different zones of the ocean.

Learn about the very cold, dark region of the ocean known as the abyss. Includes information on the origin of the name of this ocean zone, as well as information on its depth and animal life.

Learn about the oceanic pelagic ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.

Describes the two organisms capable of photosynthesis in an ocean ecosystem, the different ocean zones and the plants and animals that live in them, some facts about the ocean, and the five oceans of the world.

Learn all about the abyssal ocean ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.

What types of adaptations enable deep-sea fishes to survive and collect food in the darkness of the deep ocean? Interactive, hands-on lesson plan takes students on an exploration of deepwater adaptations by searching for Skittles in a...

Take a look at the Earth from the inside out. This site shows the different layers of the earth with an explanation of the rocks and materials in each layer. Includes a quiz on the structure of Earth.

This in-depth resource discusses the abyssal zone of the ocean. Includes a diagram and many facts about this zone.

This lesson allows learners to view and draw conclusions on the importance of life in the ocean. It uses student created movies to explore what is going on, as well as identifying the zones and diverse life associated with the oceans....

A set of illustrated fact pages, and some activity sheets, on coral reefs, tidal pools, and ocean ecosystems. Find maps, graphic organizers, and a movie link to tidal zones. Hyperlinks to specialized vocabulary words are also provided....

Take a submersible down to the seafloor. As you descend, passing through the ocean's sunlight, twilight, and midnight zones, you can observe how temperature, pressure, and light levels change. When your submersible reaches the seafloor,...

Learn about the intertidal ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.

Discover the three zones in the ocean which are determined by the amount of light received from the sun. Pictures illustrate the three zones and there is a listing of the animals that live in each zone.

The photic zone is the upper layer of the ocean where sunlight can penetrate and support photosynthesis. This article explains the characteristics of this zone, the food chain that exists there, the adaptations of the plants and animals,...

Learn about the flora and fauna of the intertidal aquatic zone and the characteristics that describe this aquatic biome through reading and watching video clips. [6:42]

Have you ever been to a tide pool during low tide? Some intertidal animals in the low tide zone are left in a tiny pool of water when the tides go out. Other intertidal animals that live in high tide zones may be left to dry out during...

This field guide to the marine organisms of the intertidal zone of Casco Bay was created by 7th grade students in Portland, Maine, as part of a Learning Expedition called, "In the Zone." Students were engaged in scientific research at...

Find a scale model of the five principal ocean zones, along with additional information.

Learn about the life forms that dwell deep in the ocean which is divided into four zones. These zones have similar life forms around the world.

An introduction to key concepts about the ocean, its ecosystems, and zones. With interactive flash cards that open in new windows to help you learn more.