Whale fall refers to the phenomenon that occurs  when a dead whale sinks to the ocean floor,  

creating a complex and nutrient-rich ecosystem  

that can sustain a variety of  deep-sea organisms for decades.

As the whale carcass descends, it goes through  several stages of decomposition. Initially,  

scavengers like sharks and hagfish  consume the soft tissues. Then,  

organisms specializing in bone degradation  take over, extracting nutrients from the bones.

Simultaneously, the organic matter from  the whale enriches the sediment around it,  

allowing bacteria and other  microorganisms to flourish.

These, in turn, attract bottom-dwelling  organisms like crabs and sea stars.  

Sulfur-reducing bacteria also colonize the bones,  

providing a basis for chemosynthetic  life forms, much like hydrothermal vents.

A single whale fall can thus become  a thriving, multi-tiered ecosystem,  

offering a rare oasis of abundance  in the nutrient-poor deep sea.