abyssal zone

Term: Abyssal zone

Origin: Anc Greek

άβυσσος/abyssos (=bottomless)

α-/a (privative, “non”)

+βυθός/vythos(=bottom)

>βαδίζω/vathizo(=step)

Definition

The abyssal zone is the portion (zone) of ocean that contains the very deep benthic communities near the bottom of oceans. Just below the abyssal zone is the hadal zone the deepest zone of the ocean. Just above the abyssal zone is the bathyal zone and just above that the photic zone where much of the oceans life exists.