Activity 4

Dive into the deep blue

Sampling the Abyss

The abyss is the largest and deepest habitat on the planet, covering half the world's oceans. Despite its size, it remains the most unexplored environment on Earth, largely due to the difficulty of reaching and working at such incredible depths, 4 kms or more below the surface. Explore the Museums Victoria Collections Online and the specimens from the Abyss in the link below. What similarities and differences do you see in these underwater creatures?

Creatures from the deep

Scientists are only just starting to uncover what lives in the deepest parts of the world’s ocean. Find out about some of the weirdest and most wonderful with Dr Martin Gomon, Curator of Ichthyology and Melanie MacKenzie, Collection Manager of Marine Invertebrates by watching our discover documentary.

Five creatures ‘invading’ southern seas

The seas off south-eastern Australia are in the midst of great change. They are what Museums Victoria ichthyologist Dianne Bray calls an ‘ocean warming hotspot’, with temperatures increasing by three- to four-times the global average. But the sea is vast and mysterious. A place of violent storms and ferocious predators. Its strange beasts and treasures have forever marooned upon our shores. And the East Australian Current has long swept creatures down from the tropical north toward the temperate south. Learn about the five creatures ‘invading’ southern seas.