Featured Image Credit: NOAA
By: Natasha Lehr
This enthralling jellyfish found 3,700 meters below the surface is just one of many recent discoveries of new species in the Marianas Trench.
The Marianas Trench is known as the world’s deepest, darkest abyss at more than 36,000 feet below sea level. It is located in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Mariana Islands near Guam.
The trench is legendary: It stretches longer than the Grand Canyon and could swallow up Mount Everest. Yet, unlike those two landmarks that have been conquered by many, the Marianas Trench has been explored by only a handful of individuals.
The formation of the trench was the product of two tectonic plates colliding long ago, which led to the creation of the massive valley. With near freezing waters, complete darkness, and pressures 1,000 times that at sea level, it is hard to imagine that this harsh environment could sustain any life.
But, as we know, the world’s oceans are a magical place.
The landscape of the trench is made up of hydrothermal vents that spew liquid sulfur and carbon dioxide, mud volcanoes, and millions of microorganisms that utilize chemosynthesis to survive. This environment provides for a diverse community of corals, sponges, crabs, shrimps, snails, clams, jellies, and even eels.
Image Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas
The diversity and oddities found in the massive valley are leading researchers to many exciting new species discoveries, and a number of curve-ball creatures that have yet to been identified. Sonar technology and remotely operating vehicles are allowing scientists to explore areas once thought humanly impossible.
The NOAA research ship Okeanos Explorer recently concluded a 69-day expedition to acquire as much baseline information about the Marianas Trench for future research and management of the trench. Chimaera ghost shark, like the one pictured below, is just one of many captivating creatures they discovered.
Image Credit: NOAA via Gizmodo
We have no doubt that exploration of the Marianas Trench will continue to reveal wonders of the ocean!
Sources: NOAA & National Geographic