What are abyssal plains and what lives there?
The flattest places on Earth aren't deserts or frozen lakes; they're hidden under miles of ocean water.
The answer
Abyssal plains are vast, flat areas of the deep ocean floor, typically found at depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters, and they cover more than 50% of Earth's surface. They are among the flattest and smoothest regions on the planet, with variations of less than a meter over large distances, created by fine sediment settling over millions of years. Despite extreme cold, darkness, and pressure, abyssal plains support a surprising diversity of life including sea cucumbers, brittle stars, polychaete worms, and various microorganisms that feed on marine snow drifting down from above.
Source: Britannica
- abyssal plains
- deep sea
- ocean floor
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