Secrets of Mariana Trench: What glows in deepest point of ocean
What secrets can be found in the Mariana Trench (photo: Freepik)
The Mariana Trench is the deepest and most mysterious corner of our planet, hidden under the Pacific Ocean. What is hidden in the darkness at a depth of over 11 thousand meters?
The deepest place on the planet
The Mariana Trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean, near the islands of the Mariana Archipelago. Its maximum depth, known as the Challenger Abyss, reaches an impressive 11,034 meters.
By comparison, even Mount Everest would "drown" in this abyss if placed in a trench. Due to its extreme depth, the pressure here is more than a thousand times higher than on the ocean surface. That is why studying this region is a real challenge for scientists.
How was the Mariana Trench formed
This deep abyss was formed by the collision of two tectonic plates - the Pacific and Philippine plates. The Pacific plate sinks beneath the Philippine plate, creating a giant underwater canyon.
The subduction process, which has been going on for millions of years, is still shaping this structure. The depression is part of the so-called Ring of Fire, a zone of high seismic activity. That is why this region is also famous for its frequent earthquakes and underwater volcanoes."
The amphipod Hirondellea gigas, living at a depth of 10,900 meters (photo: Wikipedia)
An extreme world in the dark: who lives there
In the depths of the Mariana Trench, complete darkness, freezing temperatures, and incredible pressure reign supreme. However, even in such conditions, life has found its way! The trench is home to unique creatures, including ghost fish, giant glowing amphipods, and sea cucumbers.
Their organisms have adapted to the low oxygen levels and lack of light. Some bacteria even live in thermal springs that release hot minerals from the Earth's interior.
Secrets of microbiology: life without light
One of the biggest mysteries of the trench is its microorganisms. Bacteria have been found here that feed on methane and other chemical elements released from the ocean floor. These microorganisms help scientists understand how life could have originated on Earth.
The study of such bacteria also inspires the creation of new technologies for environmental cleanup. In addition, they may shed light on the possibility of life on other planets.
How the trench is explored
The first people to reach the bottom of the Mariana Trench were Jacques Picard and Don Walsh in 1960 on the Trieste bathyscaphe. After that, only a few missions visited the Challenger Abyss, including the famous director James Cameron in 2012. The research is conducted using robots, deep-sea vehicles, and special sensors.
Due to the extreme pressure, conventional devices cannot withstand, so their design requires special materials. Each expedition brings new discoveries, but a significant part of the trench still remains unexplored."
The Trieste submersible, which first descended into the Mariana Trench (photo: Wikipedia)
The Mariana Trench as a key to future discoveries
The Mariana Trench remains one of the most mysterious parts of our planet that we are only beginning to understand. Its study can reveal secrets about the origin of life, the structure of the Earth's crust, and even the possibility of survival in space.
Each new expedition gives us a chance to find answers to fundamental questions of science. Who knows, perhaps the depths of the Mariana Trench hide secrets that will change our understanding of the Earth. It remains a symbol of how much more unknown awaits us in the world.
The Mariana Trench is a place that never ceases to amaze with its depth, ecosystems, and unsolved secrets. Its exploration is a challenge for science and a source of inspiration for all mankind.
Read also what 8 facts about Greenland make it a very special place.
Sources: Listverse, TED, Wikipedia.
