hadal

American  

[heyd-l] / ˈheɪd l /

adjective

Oceanography.

1. of or relating to the greatest ocean depths, below approximately 20,000 feet (6,500 meters).

2. of or relating to the biogeographic region of the ocean bottom below the abyssal zone.

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hadal British  

/ ˈheɪdəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting the zones of the oceans deeper than abyssal: below about 6000 metres (18 000 ft) See also abyssal

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hadal Scientific  

/ hād′l /

1. Relating to the deepest regions of the ocean, below about 6,000 m (19,680 ft). The hadal zone mostly comprises trenches that can reach depths greater than 10,000 m (32,800 ft).

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Etymology

Origin of hadal

First recorded in 1955–60; Had(es) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Finally, there are the incredibly deep seafloor trenches known as the hadal zone, named after Hades, Greek god of the underworld.

From Scientific American • Aug. 6, 2022

Since then, Dr Cui has set his eyes on the hadal zone in general, and in particular on the bottom of the Mariana trench.

From Economist • Aug. 25, 2016

The hadal zone is one of the most poorly studied habitats on Earth.

From Nature • Mar. 17, 2016

It was the only vehicle active and available to the international scientific community to conduct research in water deeper than 6,000 meters, also known as hadal depths.

From Slate • Nov. 23, 2014

The bait lures hadal creatures into the camera's field of view, once the whole contraption has been dropped to the sea floor.

From BBC • Jul. 16, 2014