How Deep Is Mariana Trench?
The deepest point in the ocean, known as the Challenger Deep, is also one of the least explored places on Earth; only two people have ever been there, and it also took them nearly five hours to reach the bottom! But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. How deep is Mariana Trench? Here’s everything you need to know about this extraordinary underwater canyon, including how it got its name, how far down it goes, and what types of creatures call it home. Let’s begin with an introduction to the geography of Mariana Trench.
How deep is the ocean
The middle depth of the ocean is about 12,000 feet or about 2.3 miles. But in some places, the sea is much more in-depth. The Challenger Deep is about 36,000 feet deep, or about 6.8 miles.
Interesting facts about Challenger Deep
It is the deepest part of the world’s oceans. The trench is also about 2,550 kilometers (1,580 miles) long and has an average width of 69 kilometers (43 miles). The depth of the trough is approximately 11,034 meters (36,201 feet). It means that if Mount Everest were at the bottom of the trench, its peak would still be more than a kilometer below the surface.
The story of descending into Challenger Deep
In 1960, the Bathyscaphe Trieste made history by descending into the Challenger Deep- the deepest point on Earth. Challenger Deep is its deepest point, reaching over 35,000 feet. Seven miles below the surface, the pressure is so intense that it can crush a human like an empty soda can. Despite these conditions, people have been venturing into the depths of Challenger Deep for decades. In 2012, film director James Cameron made a solo trip to the bottom of the trench in his submarine, reaching a depth of 35,814 feet. In addition, he is one of only three people to have ever made it to Challenger Deep solo- and he did it in less than 3 hours!
A brief history of diving bells and diving suits
The first recorded instance of someone diving into deep water was by the Greek historian Herodotus, who described how a group of Persian soldiers dipped into the Mediterranean to retrieve pearls. However, it wasn’t until the 15th century that people began exploring in earnest. In 1405, Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin designed the first recorded diving bell. Furthermore, it allowed divers to stay underwater for extended periods and marked a vital step in our insight into the ocean depths.
Why we should care about Challenger Deep
It is discovered in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Mariana Islands. The trench is about 2,550 kilometers (1,580 miles) long and has an average width of 69 kilometers (43 miles). The deepest part of the trench is called Challenger Deep at a depth of 10,994 meters (36,070 feet).
