What’s In The Deep Ocean?

Ever wonder what lives in the deepest and darkest parts of the Earth’s ocean? This week I’ll be taking you on a journey to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to one of the most unexplored locations known as the Mariana Trench. It is located in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Mariana Islands. The trench is about 1,580 miles long with an average width of 43 miles. It reaches a maximum-known depth of approximately 36,070 feet. Can anything possibly live down there?

To reach this depth, we will have to catch a ride on the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. The Deepsea Challenger submersible has a highly sophisticated syntactic foam developed specifically to withstand the pressure at the bottom of the ocean. Every function on the Deepsea Challenger is engineered with multiple backup systems ranging from oxygen life support, communications, and mechanisms that return the sub to the surface in the event of an emergency.

As dangerous as this trip may sound, stay with me and I promise it’ll be worth the risk. Now strap on your deep sea gear, grab your camera, and let’s dive 35,000 feet!

(Fangtooth Fish)

Known scientifically as Anoplogaster cornuta, this menacing creature haunts the deep waters of trench. The fangtooth gets its name from its rather impressive looking teeth, which are actually the largest teeth of any fish in the ocean when taken in proportion to body size.

(Hatchetfish)

Hatchet fish are one of the many deep sea creatures located in the trench that have the ability to create their own light through a process known as bioluminescence. The Hatchet fish have special light-producing organs known as photophores that run along the length of their body. As scary as they look in the photo, they are actually really small.

(Actual size of Hatchet Fish shown in daylight)

(Dumbo Octopus)

Grimpoteuthis, also called Dumbo Octopus, is a genus of pelagic umbrella octopus that live in the deep sea. Prominent ear-like fins protrude from the mantle just above their lateral eyes.

(Deep Sea Dragonfish)

The deep sea dragonfish is another deep sea fish that can produce its own light through a chemical process known as bioluminescence. The light is produced by a special organ known as a photophore. It is believed that the fish can use these flashing lights in the dark waters to attract prey and even to signal potential mates.

(Gulper Eel)

The gulper eel is much different in appearance than most other eel species. Its pectoral fins are so tiny as to be almost nonexistent. Unlike many other deep sea creatures, it has very small eyes. It is believed that the eyes evolved to detect faint traces of light rather than form images.

The deeper we go in into the trench the stranger the creatures become. Check out some of the other creatures located in the deepest sections of the trench.

(Species found in the Marina Trench)

(Ghost Shark – Species found in the Marina Trench)

(Species found in the Marina Trench)

(Blobfish)

The blobfish is not a member of the trench but I thought this species was weird enough to add to the list of interesting creatures in the deep ocean. Hope you enjoyed the underwater journey. Check out the link below, don’t forget to subscribe, and post your thoughts.

Deep sea Exploration (YouTube): https://youtu.be/eSW2Z4A3nrc