The Mariana Trench: Earth's Deepest

The ocean, a vast and deep place, even human understanding of the ocean is less than what we have discovered on the moon, and the number of people who have set foot in the deepest place on earth is also fewer than the number of people who set foot on the moon. Back in the 19th century, people did not know much about the ocean, what people imagined about the deep sea were fantasy stories like monsters, shipwrecks, and a completely different civilization existing alongside humans. It is believed that living creatures cannot survive in the deep ocean because people at that time were not really advanced in science and technology, and did not have modern equipment to support deep diving and exploration. So what people observe is just a mysterious black color at the bottom of the deep ocean, and it's all just guesswork, even though you see curious people always wanting to explore the ocean.

By the end of the 19th century, advances in science and technology were enough for people to explore deeper places on the ocean floor using the rudimentary measurement methods of the time. And without disappointing expectations, they discovered the deepest place on Earth: the bottom of the Mariana Trench.

The Mariana Trench expedition team of the British Navy used both HMS Challenger I and HMS Challenger II in exploring the deep ocean. These were pioneering and daring expeditions in oceanographic research. The team consisted of top experts from various fields, along with an experienced crew. These vessels were equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as multi-frequency sonar, sea radar systems, and precise pressure measuring devices, enabling accurate depth measurements of the Mariana Trench. The results showed that the lowest point of the trench reached 10,994 meters (36,070 feet) below sea level. For comparison, if Mount Everest (8,848 meters / 29,029 feet) were placed in the Mariana Trench, Everest would be submerged under about 2,146 meters (7,041 feet) of water, indicating the significantly greater depth of the Mariana Trench compared to Everest.

One of the most common misconceptions about the Mariana Trench is that it is devoid of life due to the extreme pressure. The pressure at depths of around 11,000 meters (about 1,000 atmospheres) creates a harsh environment with pressures hundreds of times greater than at the Earth's surface. This has led many to believe that no living organisms can survive at such depths. However, the reality is quite the opposite. Life thrives and evolves remarkably at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Organisms here have adapted to the harsh conditions by developing unique survival mechanisms. Some species, like the Abyssal Gigantism creatures, can grow larger than their counterparts in lower-pressure environments due to the stimulating conditions for their growth. Certain species of deep-sea sharks are also considered "experts" in surviving under extreme pressure.

Moreover, the existence of bacteria and microorganisms at these depths is also surprising. Tiny organisms like bacteria exhibit slow life cycles, using energy from chemical processes instead of sunlight like surface-dwelling organisms. The Mariana Trench is not just home to fascinating creatures but also a vital research ground for scientific and technological advancements. Understanding how organisms adapt and thrive under high pressures can lead to numerous applications in technology development and shed light on life on other planets.

Beneath the Mariana Trench, the underwater world unveils endless mysteries for human exploration. Life not only exists but also thrives in places once deemed mysterious and uninhabitable. Deepening our understanding of life below the Mariana Trench not only helps us comprehend biological diversity but also unveils new aspects of adaptation and biological evolution. It is an ongoing adventure of knowledge, opening up fantastic opportunities for research and the future development of humankind.