5 things you didn’t know about the deepest point on Earth

There are places on this earth that seem as if they are out of this world, such as vast deserts, mountain ranges, and polar ice caps. However, nothing can really compare to what is beneath the surface of the ocean. In the darkness, out of the range of any sunlight, is a place called the Challenger Deep. This is not simply a place of record-breaking depths; it is one of the last frontiers of exploration. Even today, with the advancement of modern technology, mankind has hardly begun to scratch the surface.The Challenger Deep is situated in the Mariana Trench, which is a huge crescent-shaped trench in the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the western part. This is more than 2,500 kilometers long, and it was formed through a process called subduction, whereby one plate is pushed beneath another. This resulted in a deep depression in the ocean bed. Unlike popular natural landmarks that are easily accessible, this trench lies far from major shipping routes and coastal populations. The estimated height of the Challenger Deep is between 10,900 and 11,000 metres below sea level. This makes it the lowest point on Earth. To understand this better, it is worth noting that if Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, were placed at the bottom of the Challenger Deep, its peak would still be underwater. Measuring this height is not an easy task. Scientists use sophisticated equipment such as sonar and submersibles to carry out this task. However, it should be noted that while the readings may differ by a little, they all point to one thing: the Challenger Deep is unmatched.One of the most distinctive characteristics of Challenger Deep is its pressure. This pressure, as mentioned, is due to the sheer depth, which results in a pressure greater than 1,000 times that of the pressure at sea level. In other words, the pressure on each square inch is equivalent to a number of tons. This makes the environment extremely inhospitable. Ordinary vessels or equipment would be crushed instantly in this environment. Only specially designed vessels, with specially designed equipment, can withstand the pressure and make the descent to the Challenger Deep. Perhaps one of the most surprising discoveries about Challenger Deep is that it is not devoid of life. Even though there is no light, near-freezing temperatures, and crushing pressure, there are microorganisms and deep-sea creatures thriving in this place. These creatures live here because of their adaptations. Since there is no light, they do not use photosynthesis. They live off decaying matter from above or use chemical compounds for food. Some microorganisms are specially adapted for survival under such pressure, making them unlike any other.Despite being on our own planet, one of the least visited locations on Earth is the Challenger Deep. The first successful expedition to the bottom of the Challenger Deep was undertaken by Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh in 1960. They went to the bottom of the Challenger Deep aboard a bathyscaphe called Trieste. The expedition was a major milestone in the history of ocean exploration. For over five decades, no one went back to the bottom of the Challenger Deep. It was only until 2012 when filmmaker James Cameron went alone to the bottom of the Challenger Deep. In recent times, a few expeditions have been undertaken to the bottom of the Challenger Deep.