The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2000 to 2025 Oceans

Elevation Southern Ocean, in 26 editions.

The entry for Southern Ocean published Elevation in 26 editions of 26, from 2000 to 2025. The text changed in 11 editions. Each is shown as published. Elevation in every entry.

editions changed the text
11
the first edition with it
2000
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Elevation extremes” (2000 to 2015) and “Elevation” (2016 to 2025).

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.

2025 edition

Changed since 2024

Open the 2025 entry

highest point:
sea level
lowest point:
southern end of the South Sandwich Trench -7,434 m unnamed deep
mean depth:
-3,270 m
ocean zones:
  • the ocean is divided into three zones based on depth and light level;
  • sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light below 200 m
euphotic zone :
the upper 200 m (656 ft) is also called "sunlight" zone; only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth
dysphotic zone :
  • between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft), and also called the twilight zone;
  • the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases, and photosynthesis is no longer possible
aphotic zone :
below 1,000 m (3,280 ft) and also called the midnight zone; sunlight does not penetrate to these depths

highest point: sea level
lowest point: southern end of the South Sandwich Trench -7,434 m unnamed deep
mean depth: -3,270 m
ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the ocean is delimited differently than the solid continents. It is divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Sunlight level; sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond below 200 m. m
The euphotic zone : the upper 200 m (656 ft) of the ocean is also called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only "sunlight" zone; only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth. depth
The dysphotic zone : between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially ft), and also called the dysphotic zone. In this zone, twilight zone; the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that increases, and photosynthesis is no longer possible. possible
The aphotic, or "midnight," aphotic zone exists in depths : below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight ft) and also called the midnight zone; sunlight does not penetrate to these depths, and the zone is bathed in darkness. depths

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “Southern Ocean: Elevation.” The World Factbook, 2000–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/southern-ocean/elevation.

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