The Mariana Trench

The Mariana Trench is a huge crack in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. It is the deepest spot on our whole planet. The trench is shaped like a long curve. It sits near the island of Guam. The water here is so deep that sunlight cannot reach the bottom. It is dark, cold, and full of mystery.

How Deep Is It?

The Mariana Trench goes down about 36,000 feet. That is almost seven miles deep! The deepest point is called Challenger Deep. If you put Mount Everest inside the trench, its top would still be under water. The pressure at the bottom is very strong. It would crush most things from the surface.

Life in the Deep

Even with no sunlight, animals still live here. Tiny shrimp, strange fish, and glowing jellies swim in the dark. Some sea creatures make their own light. This is called bioluminescence. Scientists find new animals every time they visit the trench.

Brave Explorers

Only a few people have been to the bottom. In 1960, two men rode a small sub called the Trieste down to Challenger Deep. Later, film maker James Cameron went down alone in 2012. Their trips helped us learn about this hidden world.

Fun Facts

• The Mariana Trench is deeper than Mount Everest is tall.
• The water pressure at the bottom is over 1,000 times stronger than at the surface.
• Sadly, plastic trash has been found even at the deepest part of the trench.

Did You Know?

More people have walked on the Moon than have traveled to the bottom of the Mariana Trench!