The ocean depths are the dominant feature of our world ocean, yet they are largely unexplored.
Ocean Literacy Principles:
OLP 5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
OLP 7: The ocean is largely unexplored
Topic List:
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This introduction to the ocean depths gives an overview of the concepts and activities explored in this unit and describes how these investigations build an understanding of ocean literacy.
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Light can only penetrate the upper layer of the ocean. Most of the ocean receives little or no sunlight.
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Pressure is the amount of force applied on an object. As an object sinks deeper in the ocean, pressure increases because of the weight of increased water above it.
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The ocean can be divided into vertical depth zones based on light availability, temperature, and bottom topography.
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Modern diving technology has been instrumental in exploring the depths of the ocean. One of the biggest challenges facing deep-sea explorers is overcoming the effects of pressure.