What is the Deepest Point in the Ocean?

The Mariana Trench. It's not only the deepest point in the ocean — it's also the lowest known elevation on Earth. To gauge its depth, consider the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest. This trench is deeper than that mountain is tall. The Mariana Trench is about 36,198 feet (about 11,033 meters) deep. Everest is a mere 29,029 feet (about 8,848 meters) tall.

Other random facts about Mariana Trench:

• The trench measures about 1,580 miles (about 2,550 kilometers) long and 43 miles (about 69 kilometers) wide.


• The trench was created when the Pacific Plate was subducted or sucked under the Mariana Plate in a tectonic plate shifting event.


• This tectonic plate shifting event also formed the Mariana Islands, so people had a place to stay while visiting the trench. Only three descent attempts to the bottom have been successful.


• The US Navy manned a bathyscaphe named Trieste and touched bottom at 1:06 p.m. on 3 January 1960. On the bottom they saw sole, flounder and a shrimp, as well as algae ooze. They resurfaced earlier than planned due to a 6-inch (about 15-centimeter) crack in one of Trieste's windows.


• The Japanese didn't want to make the trip themselves, so they sent a remote-controlled underwater vehicle named Kaikō to check it out in 1995. It brought back bacteria samples.


• The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution took a gander in 2009 with a hybrid remote-controlled underwater vehicle named Nereus (after the Greek god with a human torso and a fish tail). It brought back liquid and rock so scientists could better study the effects of the plate subduction situation.


• To accomplish a successful descent requires withstanding pressures of more than 1,000 times what we experience on the Earth's surface.


• The trench is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire — the 25,000-mile (about 40,233-kilometer) area where most of the Earth's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions take place.


• There are heat vents in the trench that spew hot water that can reach 572 degrees Fahrenheit (about 300 degrees Celsius) — that's well above boiling!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deepest point in the ocean known to us?

The deepest point in the ocean is the Challenger Deep, located in the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. It reaches a staggering depth of approximately 36,070 feet (10,994 meters), as measured by the Deep-sea Challenger submersible. This depth is so profound that if Mount Everest were placed at the bottom, its peak would still be over a mile underwater.

How was the depth of the Challenger Deep measured?

The depth of the Challenger Deep has been measured using various methods over the years, including echo sounding and more recently, with sophisticated unmanned submersibles. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), modern multibeam sonar systems have provided the most accurate measurements, mapping the seafloor with high-resolution data.

What kind of life exists at the deepest point of the ocean?

Despite the extreme conditions, life thrives at the deepest point of the ocean. Organisms such as xenophyophores, amphipods, and holothurians have adapted to the high-pressure, low-temperature, and complete darkness. These creatures often possess specialized adaptations like reduced skeletal structures and slow metabolisms, as reported by deep-sea research expeditions.

Has anyone ever been to the Challenger Deep?

Yes, the Challenger Deep has been visited by humans. The first manned descent was made by Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh in the bathyscaphe Trieste in 1960. More recently, in 2012, filmmaker James Cameron made a solo dive in the Deepsea Challenger submersible. These expeditions have provided valuable insights into the deepest parts of our oceans.

Why is exploring the deepest parts of the ocean important?

Exploring the deepest parts of the ocean is crucial for several reasons. It helps scientists understand the extreme conditions of the deep sea and how life adapts to such environments. This research can lead to discoveries in biology, geology, and chemistry, and may even have implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, as it shows how life can exist in extreme conditions.

Are there any risks associated with deep-sea exploration?

Deep-sea exploration poses significant risks due to the extreme conditions, such as crushing pressures, low temperatures, and the absence of light. The technology used must be able to withstand over 1,000 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level. Equipment failures can be catastrophic, making safety a paramount concern for such missions, as emphasized by oceanographic institutions.