The abyssal zone is deep. Really deep. It is located on the abyssal plain, and the average depth of the abyssal plain is 4,000 meters. In places, the abyssal plain is as deep as 6,000 meters.
The abyssal zone is a part of the benthic environment. The benthic environment refers to the ocean floor and all of the creatures that live on it or in it. The only ocean floor environment that is deeper than the abyssal zone is the hadal zone. That zone is almost exclusively reserved for ocean trenches.
Life isn't necessarily abundant in the abyssal zone, but it is most definitely present. Crabs, sponges, tube worms, and sea cucumbers are a few of the animals that can tolerate the pressures associated with those depths. Tube worms are most likely found near underwater volcanic vents and are therefore tolerating extreme pressures and fairly high temperatures as well.
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