Abyssal plain facts for kids

An abyssal plain is an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor. It is usually found 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) and 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) below the surface of the water. Abyssal plains cover more than 50% of the Earth's surface. They are among the flattest and smoothest places on Earth.

Abyssal plains are believed to have lots of biodiversity. They are also play an important role in ocean carbon cycling, dissolution of calcium carbonate, and atmospheric CO₂ concentrations over hundreds or thousand years. Abyssal plains also have hydrothermal vents and cold seeps.

Images for kids

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  Oceanic crust is formed at a mid-ocean ridge, while the lithosphere is subducted back into the asthenosphere at oceanic trenches

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  Age of oceanic crust (red is youngest, and blue is oldest)

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  Location of the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench

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  Tubeworms and soft corals at a cold seep 3000 meters deep on the Florida Escarpment. Eelpouts, a galatheid crab, and an alvinocarid shrimp are feeding on chemosynthetic mytilid mussels.

See also

In Spanish: Llanura abisal para niños