OCEANSCAPE NETWORK
  • Home
  • Virtual Explorations
    • The Stream
  • Explore
  • Experience
  • Educate
Picture
Back to ECOSYSTEMS

The coastal waters are the part of the ocean with which we're most familiar. They’re also the part where the majority of marine life lives. It’s comfortable in these areas. The shallower waters usually mean plenty of sunlight, more moderate temperatures and lots of food. But what about the rest of the ocean — that vast blue universe which lies beyond the boundary of the coastal waters?

This is the open sea, and it ranks as the most mysterious, unexplored realms on Earth. The open sea is so big — covering nearly 70% of the planet’s surface — that it’s nearly impossible to imagine it all so scientists have broken the ocean up into distinct areas called “zones.” Understanding these zones will help you understand the complexity of the ocean. To begin exploring, click on one of the ecosystems listed below.
Abyss
Trenches
Continental Shelf
Twilight Zone
Midnight Zone
Sunlit Zone

Downloadable Items:

Ocean Zones
Picture
Picture
About Oceanscape
The Oregon Coast Aquarium's Oceanscape Network is an educational program for youth designed to inspire curiosity in science, nature, conservation and outdoor exploration while providing valuable classroom resources for educators. MORE.
Quick Links
​Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads
Site Updates | For Educators | For Youth | Translate This Website | Contact Form | Privacy Policy | Conditions of Use | Website Accessibility
Finding the Aquarium
2820 SE Ferry Slip Road, Newport, Oregon 97365
(541) 867-3474 | oceanscape@aquarium.org
Oceanscape Network copyright © 2019-2020 by the Oregon Coast Aquarium. All rights reserved. 
  • Home
  • Virtual Explorations
    • The Stream
  • Explore
  • Experience
  • Educate