Diel Vertical Migration

THE LARGEST MIGRATION ON EARTH

12:00

0m (Epipelagic/Sunlight)200m (Mesopelagic/Twilight)1000m (Bathypelagic/Midnight)

PHYTOPLANKTON ZONE

Migrating Biomass

Control Time

00:0006:0012:0018:0024:00

Phase: DAY

The biomass stays deep (Mesopelagic zone, 200m–1000m) where it is dark. This helps them hide from visual predators like fish and birds. The water is colder here, slowing their metabolism.