What submarine went to the bottom of the Mariana Trench? This question has intrigued explorers and scientists for decades, as the Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean, is the deepest part of the world’s oceans. The submarine that made this historic descent was the Challenger Deep, a vessel designed specifically for such an extraordinary mission. This article delves into the details of this remarkable journey and the significance of reaching the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
The Mariana Trench, with its maximum depth of approximately 36,000 feet (10,994 meters), has long been a symbol of the unknown depths of the ocean. The first attempt to reach the trench was made by the U.S. Navy’s bathyscaphe Trieste in 1960. However, it was the Japanese research submarine Chikyu that followed in the footsteps of Trieste, reaching the bottom of the Mariana Trench in 2012.
The Chikyu, meaning “earth” in Japanese, was a state-of-the-art research submarine equipped with advanced technology to explore the deepest parts of the ocean. It was designed and built by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The submarine’s mission was to collect samples of the trench’s sediments and to study the geological and biological processes occurring at such extreme depths.
The journey to the bottom of the Mariana Trench was not an easy one. The Chikyu had to overcome numerous challenges, including extreme pressure, which can reach up to 1,086 bars (15,750 pounds per square inch) at the trench’s deepest point. The submarine was also equipped with a special pressure-resistant sphere, known as the “dome,” where scientists and researchers could conduct experiments and collect samples.
On March 26, 2012, the Chikyu successfully reached the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The dome, which housed the scientists, descended to a depth of 35,814 feet (10,994 meters), surpassing the previous record set by the Trieste. The mission was a significant achievement for Japan and the global scientific community, as it provided valuable insights into the trench’s geological and biological features.
One of the most remarkable findings of the Chikyu’s expedition was the discovery of a previously unknown ecosystem thriving in the trench’s deepest parts. The submarine’s cameras captured images of various species, including deep-sea fish, crustaceans, and even a type of anemone, which managed to survive in the harsh conditions of the trench.
The journey of the Chikyu to the bottom of the Mariana Trench serves as a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. It has opened new doors for oceanographic research and has inspired future expeditions to explore the uncharted depths of the ocean. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that more discoveries will be made in the mysterious world of the Mariana Trench, further expanding our understanding of the planet’s hidden depths.
