The deepest part of the ocean basin is known as the Mariana Trench, specifically a section called the Challenger Deep. This incredible depression in the Earth’s seabed reaches depths of about 36,000 feet (over 10,900 meters) below sea level, making it the deepest known point on our planet.
The Mariana Trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Mariana Islands. It was formed by the process of subduction, where one tectonic plate is forced under another. This fascinating geological feature not only represents the deepest point underwater but also provides unique ecosystems and environments that have adapted to extreme pressure and darkness.
Explorations of the trench have revealed strange aquatic life forms, such as giant amoebas, various crustaceans, and even unprecedented microbial communities. These discoveries highlight the trench’s importance in understanding marine biology and the conditions that can sustain life in some of the most inhospitable areas on Earth.