Notes on the Mariana Trench and Its Mysteries

Introduction

• The Mariana Trench is the deepest place on Earth, located in the western Pacific near the Mariana Islands.
• Contains the deepest point on Earth and several other deep points.

10. The Mariana Trench: Deepest Depths

• Challenger Deep: 36,070 feet deep, the lowest spot in the ocean measured using sound pulses by NOAA.
• Sirena Deep: Second deepest at 35,462 feet, located 124 miles east of Challenger Deep.
• Comparison: Deeper than Mount Everest by 7,044 feet (if Everest flipped upside down).

9. Horrifying Creatures

• Lack of sunlight: No sunlight below 3,000 feet.
• Known creatures include:
  • Dumbo Octopus: Deepest-dwelling octopus at 13,000 feet.
  • Deep-Sea Dragonfish: Lives at 6,000 feet; relies on bioluminescence.
  • Barrel-Eye Fish: Rare, with a translucent body; found at 2,500 feet.
  • Goblin Shark: Can grow up to 18 feet; found at 3,000 feet deep.

8. Undersea Volcanoes

• Documented volcanic eruption below 2.8 miles in the trench.
• Eruption occurred between 2013 and 2015 in the Back Ark area.
• Marine geologist Bill Chadwick: Most volcanic activity happens underwater, often undetected.

7. Mysterious Sounds

• An autonomous vehicle recorded a metallic sound; believed to be from a new type of baleen whale.
• Sound characteristics: Low-frequency moan, unique compared to known baleen whales.

6. Expeditions

• First Dive: Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh in 1960 using a bathyscape.
• Recent Dives: Victor Vescovo went to 10,927 meters in 2019, discovering new species and gathering samples.
• James Cameron made a solo dive in 2012.
• Increasing investments in marine technology for further exploration.

5. A Lot of Pressure

• 7 miles of water above increases pressure to extreme levels.
• Equivalent to 100 adult elephants standing on one’s head.
• Affects life forms and their biomolecules, leading to unique adaptations.

4. Undiscovered Monsters

• Rumors of giant monsters like the Kraken or Megalodon persist.
• Evidence of deep-sea gigantism with creatures like giant isopods (up to 2 feet long).

3. The Formation of the Trench

• Formed by subduction, where tectonic plates collide, creating deep trenches.
• Trench dimensions: 1,500 miles long and 43 miles wide, approximately 180 million years old.
• Not the closest point to the center of Earth (Arctic Ocean is closer).

2. The Deepest Trash

• Plastic bag found at 36,000 feet, recognized as the deepest litter.
• Prevalent debris in the ocean includes plastic; 89% of ocean pollution.

1. Future Exploration

• Continued interest from wealthy individuals in trench exploration.
• Larry Connor's planned dives in April 2021 to Challenger Deep and Sirena Deep for scientific research.
• Connor's unique achievement: traveling from the deepest point on Earth to outer space in 2022.