How are the shallow and deep parts of the Bering Sea different?

The Bering Sea is divided into two distinct regions based on depth and geological structure:

Shallow Regions

The northern and eastern portions of the sea consist of an enormous underwater plain formed by continental and insular shelves. These areas are characterized by:
* Depth: Generally less than 500 feet.1
* Crustal Thickness: The continental crust here is more than 12 miles thick.1
* Biological Activity: These shelves host the largest concentrations of diatom algae, which serve as the primary producers for the sea's food web.2
* Hydrology: Only two water layers develop in these regions: a surface layer and a cooler intermediate layer.3

Deep Regions

The southwestern portion of the sea is a deep plain featuring:
* Depth: Depths range from 12,000 to 13,000 feet, with the deepest point reaching 13,442 feet in the Bowers Basin.1
* Basins: This area is divided into the Aleutian Basin, Bowers Basin, and Komandor Basin.1
* Crustal Thickness: The crust is significantly thinner, measuring 6 to 9 miles thick.1
* Hydrology: These waters exhibit higher salinity near the bottom and support a more complex three-layer water structure.3