The Mariana Trench is a fascinating feature of the ocean. It is the deepest portion of the entire ocean and it is located near Japan and Guam. It was created by ocean-to-ocean subduction, which generally does cause the deepest trenches. The deepest part of the Mariana Trench is the Challenger Deep, named after an exploratory vessel that discovered it. Though scientists have learned much about the trench, it is still not possible to measure its exact depth with current technology. However, from what we do know and can measure, Mt. Everest could be flipped upside down and placed in the trench, and still be substantially submerged.
The Mariana Trench contains a vast array of highly unique marine life due to its extreme circumstances. The furthest depths of the trench are highly pressurized and extremely cold, but they also have hydrothermal vents caused by the separating tectonic plates. These vents emit minerals and fluids that can reach up to 300 degrees F. Thus certain animals such as the Angler Fish, have adapted to the extreme pressure and temperature changes. Many species of crabs and various invertebrates also inhabit the depths of the trench, many of which live to be hundreds of years old. These animals live off of chemicals emitted by the hydrothermal vents. Since sunlight cannot reach the depths of the Mariana Trench, plants and animals use a system known as chemosythesis instead of photosynthesis. Other strange phenomena include giant clams, spider crabs, and tube worm colonies. One site stated that the Mariana Trench has been proposed to be used for disposing of nuclear waste. Because it is a subduction zone, eventually the waste would be folded deep into the earth’s mantle, but we don’t know what effects these chemicals could have on the ecosystems of the great deep.
I never knew about the Marina Trench prior to a couple weeks ago. The trench completely fascinates me because it puts the size of earth into perspective. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around just how deep and vast it is. I am also thoroughly amazed about the sea life that is able to live down there. There are such odd animals and organisms that are adapted to extremely cold and extremely hot temperatures. It seems odd that no surface dwellers could ever come close to inhabiting the trench and yet those organisms not only survive but they thrive and are a vital part of the ecosystem. I think the main thing that interests me about the Mariana Trench, is that there is so much we don’t know and are not able to discover about it. In a world full of modern technology and all modern conveniences, it amazes me that we are still not able to delve into the depths of the Challenger Deep. To date a submarine vessel developed in Japan has been able to sustain depths of 6,400 meters, but nothing has come close to touching the approximate 11,000 meter depth of the Challenger Deep. I think it is very neat that there are still some mysteries left on our intricate earth that our technology hasn’t been able to touch.
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