Oceans and seas around the world are full of mystery that have not been explored yet. It is believed that we have explored only 5% of the oceans. Oceans have mountains, valleys, plateaus and plains, that are full of species that have not been discovered yet, and many places about which we known nothing. These valleys, plains and mountains are much bigger and taller than those on lands. Today we will know about the deepest parts in the world inside the oceans that are known as trenches. So, let’s see them:
1. Mariana Trench
Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the Earth that is known to the mankind. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, deepest point here is known as the Challenger Deep, whose depth is around 11.034 Km. Water density at the bottom of Mariana Trench increases by 4.96% due to the extreme pressure at the seabed. Despite of extreme pressure and darkness, various expeditions shows that this trench is home to unique lifeforms including large creatures and many unknown sea animals. Till now less 30 people (only 27 people) have been to Mariana Trench.
2. Tonga Trench
The second deepest part of the world, Tonga Trench is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The deepest point in the Tonga Trench is known as the Horizon Deep which lies around 10.882 Km below the sea level. It is formed where Pacific plate descends beneath the Indo-Australian Plate. This tectonic activity makes the region one of the most seismically active on Earth. Scientists found this trench very interesting for scientific studies and research due to its extreme conditions, unique ecosystems, and role in plate tectonics. Even here in such extreme conditions there are various unique sea species present here.
3. Philippine Trench
The Philippine Trench is also known as the Midanao Trench is third deepest oceanic trench in the world. Located in the Philippine Sea, the deepest point is known as the Galathea Depth which has a depth of around 10.54 Km below sea level. It was formed due to the collision between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. Until 1970, scientists used to consider it as the deepest point in the ocean. This trench is a hotspot for tectonic activity, including powerful earthquakes and tsunamis. Even in such harsh and extreme conditions scientists have discovered resilient deep-sea organisms here.
4. Kuril - Kamchatka Trench
Off the coasts of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, fourth deepest trench, Kuril – Kamchatka Trench is located. It has a depth of 10.542 Km below the sea level and formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Okhotsk Plate. This trench is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is highly seismically active. It is known for generating powerful earthquakes and tsunamis. It is also home to many unique deep-sea species which have adapted to its extreme conditions. The trench plays an important role in understanding Earth’s geological processes and the dynamic nature of plate movements.
5. Kermadec Trench
Located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, northeast of New Zealand, Kermadec Trench is the fifth deepest trench in the world. It has a depth of around 10.047 Km, making it one of world’s deepest points. It is formed by the subduction o the Pacific Plate under the Indo – Australian Plate. It is part of a tectonically active zone associated with frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The trench is home to specialized organisms adapted to cold, high-pressure conditions. It is an important site for scientific research and exploration about marine life, plate tectonics and Earth’s geologic evolution.
There are many other trenches but these are top 5 deepest point on Earth. These trenches are important place geological studies, marine life studies and studies of plate tectonics. We will see more about oceans in our other blogs.
Until next time, keep travelling and take care of Nature.