Geography of the oceans. Geography of the oceans Diving on the bathyscaphe Deepsea Challenger

How are atolls formed? Can artificial satellite Lands to help fishermen? What is an "ice plow"? How do dolphins fight sharks? Where is the "Graveyard of the Atlantic"? Why are there so many fish off the coast of Peru? What are the dangers of ocean pollution? Answers to these and many other questions can be found in a new popular science book by famous American oceanographers, whose names are familiar to our readers from the small book “100 Questions about the Ocean,” published in Russian translation by Gidrometeoizdat in 1972. The authors again returned to their original task - provide information about various aspects modern science about the ocean - but on a much broader basis.

Designed for a wide range of readers.

Book:

In 1959, the Soviet research vessel Vityaz measured in the Mariana Trench near the island. Guam depth is 11,022 m. Previously, depths in this place were measured by the Japanese ship Maneyu in 1927 (9810 m) and the British ship Challenger II in 1952 (10,863 m). On January 23, 1960, the bathyscaphe Trieste sank in the Mariana Trench to a depth of 10,919 m.

The ocean is much closer to us than the planets of the solar system. However, only 5 percent of its bottom has been studied. How many more secrets do the waters of the world's oceans hold? This is the greatest mystery of our planet.

Maximum depth

The Mariana Trench, or otherwise the Mariana Trench, is the deepest place in the world's oceans. They live here amazing creatures and there is practically no light. However, this is the most famous place, which is still not fully understood and conceals many unsolved mysteries.

Diving into the Mariana Trench is truly suicide. After all, the water pressure here is thousands of times higher than the pressure at sea level. The maximum depth of the world's oceans is approximately 10,994 meters with an error of 40 meters. However, there are brave souls who descended to the very bottom, risking own life. Of course, this could not have happened without modern technologies.

Where is the deepest place in the world's oceans?

The Mariana Trench is located in the region, or more precisely, in its western part, closer to the east, near Guam, about 200 kilometers from the deepest place in the world's oceans, shaped like a crescent-shaped trench. The width of the depression is approximately 69 kilometers and the length is 2550 kilometers.

Coordinates of the Mariana Trench: eastern longitude - 142°35’, northern latitude- 11°22’.

Temperature at the bottom

Scientists have suggested that at maximum depth there should be very low temperature. However, they were very surprised by the fact that at the bottom of the Mariana Trench this figure remains above zero and amounts to 1 - 4 ° C. Soon an explanation was found for this phenomenon.

At a depth of approximately 1600 meters from the surface of the water there are hydro thermal springs. They are also called “white smokers.” Jets coming out of the sources are very hot water. Its temperature is 450° Celsius.

It is worth noting that this water contains a huge amount of minerals. Exactly these chemical elements and support life at great depths. Despite this high temperature, which is several times higher than the boiling point, the water does not boil here. And this is explained by fairly high pressure. At this depth, this figure is 155 times higher than that on the surface.

As you can see, the deepest places in the world's oceans are not so simple. There are still many secrets hidden in them that need to be unraveled.

Who lives at such depths?

Many people think that the deepest place in the world's oceans is an abyss where life cannot exist. However, this is not the case. At the very bottom of the Mariana Trench, scientists discovered very large amoebas, which are called xenophyophores. Their body length is 10 centimeters. These are very large single-celled organisms.

Scientists suggest that this type Amoebas have acquired such sizes due to the environment in which they have to exist. It is worth noting that these single-celled creatures were found at a depth of 10.6 kilometers. Their development was influenced by many factors. This and the absence sunlight, and enough high pressure, and, of course, cold water.

In addition, xenophyophores simply have unique abilities. Amoebas tolerate the effects of many chemical substances and elements including lead, mercury and uranium.

Shellfish

At the bottom Mariana Trench very high pressure. In such conditions, even creatures with bones or shells have no chance of surviving. However, not so long ago, mollusks were found in the Mariana Trench. They live near hydrothermal springs, because serpentine contains methane and hydrogen. These substances allow a living organism to fully form.

It is still not known how mollusks manage to preserve their shells in such conditions. In addition, hydrothermal springs release another gas - hydrogen sulfide. And it is known to be fatal to any mollusks.

Liquid carbon dioxide in its pure form

The Mariana Trench is a deep place in the world's oceans, and also amazing world with many unexplained phenomena. There are hydrothermal vents located near Taiwan, outside the Okinawa Trench. This is the only underwater area known on this moment, where liquid is present carbon dioxide. This place was discovered back in 2005.

Many scientists believe that it was these sources that allowed life to arise in the Mariana Trench. After all, here not only optimal temperature, but there are also chemicals present.

Finally

The deepest places of the world's oceans simply amaze with the extraordinary nature of their world. Here you can find living organisms that thrive in complete darkness and at high pressure and cannot exist in any other environment.

It is worth noting that the Mariana Trench has the status of a US national monument. This marine reserve is the largest in the world. Of course, for those who want to visit here, there is a certain list of rules. Mining and fishing is strictly prohibited in this place.

In those places, the rays of sunlight will never penetrate; to get there, researchers, risking their lives, make a lot of effort and effort, live there mysterious creatures, which are more like aliens, than on the inhabitants of the ocean - all these are deep-sea depressions (trenches) of the World Ocean.

Geographical feature (meaning)

Ocean trenches are deep cracks on the ocean floor, the length of which reaches at least five thousand meters. They play an important role in the formation climatic conditions and the climate in general.

The oceans' depressions act as major sinks for the most common carbon gas, CO2, which is a major component in biochemical processes. globe. Depressions are traps of organic matter, which is intensively processed by bacteria. Much more bacterial organisms are concentrated in the depressions than on the ocean plains (up to 6000 meters), which were previously considered the main utilizers of organic matter. In addition, such peculiar traps can act in the opposite direction of global warming, which helps to support ecological system planets are in a balanced state.

Characteristics of sea and ocean depressions

Oceanic cracks and faults also include depressions in marginal seas that develop in oceanic conditions. Sea depressions are deep cracks that are located at the bottom of the seas, where complete darkness and high pressure reign. The most famous are the sea depressions that stretch along the eastern shores of Eurasia.

Oceanic depressions are the most common relief elements in the intermediate sector between the ocean and the continental part of the continent. These long narrow depressions ocean floor located on the outer part of the oceanic ridges of continental arcs.

Deep-sea depressions of the World Ocean

The deepest faults are concentrated in the Pacific region and reach up to 11 km. The deepest place on earth is the Mariana Trench with a recorded depth of 11,022 meters. The length of the trench is 1500 km, the slopes are steep and the bottom is flat (width from 1 to 5 km).

IN Indian Ocean the deepest is the Java Trench with a depth of 7,730 meters, a length of more than 4,000 kilometers, and a width of 10 to 50 km. It is located near the island of Bali. The bottom of the depression is indented with ledges and underwater canyons, there are active volcanoes, and earthquakes occur.

The Peruvian-Chilean trench is considered the longest in the world, its depth reaches 6000 km. This depression is the widest rift in the World Ocean and is recognized as one of the 7 wonders of the world (more than 90 km wide).

The Aleutian Trench, 7,700 m deep, stretches from Alaska to Kamchatka. The depression was formed during the collision of two plates, the Pacific and North American.

Mariana Trench interesting facts

(Contour of Mount Chomolungma (Everest) on the Marina Basin diagram)

If only high mountain world Chomolungma (Everest) ended up in the Mariana Trench, it would have been covered with water for another 2 km.

At a depth of about one and a half kilometers from the bottom Pacific Ocean There are thermal springs, so the water warms up to 450 C.

Recently, at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, they were discovered giant amoebas(up to 10 cm), which have such dimensions due to the environment in which they live.

Mariana Trench, or Mariana Trench- an oceanic trench in the western Pacific Ocean, which is the deepest geographical feature known in the world. Geographical coordinates of the object - 11°21′ N. w. 142°12′ E. d. (G). As you already know, this is the deepest part of the earth's oceans, and also the deepest place on the entire earth.

According to the results of measurements of the Soviet ship "Vityaz", the maximum depth of the depression reaches 11022 m (although according to data latest observations this value does not exceed 10911-10924 m). Thus, the deepest point of the depression is much further from sea level than Mount Everest is above it.

The depression stretches along the Mariana Islands for 1500 km; it has a V-shaped profile, steep (7-9) slopes, a flat bottom 1-5 km wide, which is divided by rapids into several closed depressions. At the bottom, water pressure reaches 108.6 MPa (15,750 ft per square inch), more than 1,000 times normal atmospheric pressure at the level of the World Ocean. The depression is located at the junction of two tectonic plates, in the zone of movement along faults, where the Pacific plate goes under the Philippine plate.

The first data on the depth were obtained by the English ship Challenger in 1951, which, according to the report, was 10863 m. According to the results of measurements carried out in 1957 during the 25th voyage of the Soviet research vessel Vityaz, the maximum depth of the depression was 11022 m (specified data, originally reported depth was 11,034 m).

The only human dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench was made on January 23, 1960 by US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh and explorer Jacques Piccard on the bathyscaphe Trieste. The instruments recorded a record depth of 11,521 meters (corrected figure - 10,918 m). At the bottom, the researchers unexpectedly encountered flat fish up to 30 cm in size, similar to flounder.
The Japanese Kaiko probe, which was lowered into the area maximum depth depression on March 24, 1997, recorded a depth of 10911.4 meters. On May 31, 2009, the automatic underwater vehicle Nereus sank to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The device descended to a depth of 10,902 meters, where it filmed video, took several photographs, and also collected sediment samples at the bottom.

The waters of the Mariana Trench are home to many species of invertebrate fish, including such oddities as angler, so called because it uses a glowing protrusion to attract prey.

Interesting feature sea ​​creatures is their longevity, many of these animals having a "lifespan" of over 100 years, provided, of course, that they do not end up in fishing nets. Since these animals develop slowly, there is no concern about the threat of their extinction.

The bottom of the Mariana Trench consists of animal skeletons, decaying microorganisms and plants; as a rule, the bottom is yellow and viscous.

Even though the oceans are closer to us than distant planets solar system, People Only five percent of the ocean floor has been explored, which remains one of the greatest mysteries of our planet.

Here are others Interesting Facts about what can be found along the way and at the very bottom of the Mariana Trench.

Temperature at the bottom of the Mariana Trench

1. Very hot water

Going down to such depths, we expect it to be very cold. The temperature here reaches just above zero, varying 1 to 4 degrees Celsius.

However, at a depth of about 1.6 km from the surface of the Pacific Ocean there are hydrothermal vents called “black smokers”. They shoot water that heats up to 450 degrees Celsius.

This water is rich in minerals that help support life in the area. Despite the water temperature being hundreds of degrees above boiling point, she doesn't boil here due to incredible pressure, 155 times higher than on the surface.

Inhabitants of the Mariana Trench

2. Giant toxic amoebas

A few years ago, at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, giant 10-centimeter amoebas called xenophyophores.

These single-celled organisms likely became so large because of the environment they live in at a depth of 10.6 km. Cold temperature, high blood pressure and lack of sunlight most likely contributed to these amoebas have acquired enormous dimensions.

In addition, xenophyophores have incredible abilities. They are resistant to many elements and chemicals, including uranium, mercury and lead,which would kill other animals and people.

3. Shellfish

The intense water pressure in the Mariana Trench does not give any animal with a shell or bones a chance of survival. However, in 2012, shellfish were discovered in a trench near serpentine hydrothermal vents. Serpentine contains hydrogen and methane, which allows living organisms to form.

TO How did mollusks preserve their shells under such pressure?, remains unknown.

In addition, hydrothermal vents emit another gas, hydrogen sulfide, which is lethal to shellfish. However, they learned to bind the sulfur compound into a safe protein, which allowed the population of these mollusks to survive.

At the bottom of the Mariana Trench

4. Pure liquid carbon dioxide

Hydrothermal source of Champagne The Mariana Trench, which lies outside the Okinawa Trench near Taiwan, is the only known underwater area where liquid carbon dioxide can be found. The spring, discovered in 2005, was named after the bubbles that turned out to be carbon dioxide.

Many believe these springs, called "white smokers" due to their lower temperatures, may be the source of life. It was in the depths of the oceans, with low temperatures and an abundance of chemicals and energy, that life could begin.

5. Slime

If we had the opportunity to swim to the very depths of the Mariana Trench, we would feel that it covered with a layer of viscous mucus. Sand, in its familiar form, does not exist there.

The bottom of the depression mainly consists of crushed shells and plankton remains that have accumulated at the bottom of the depression for many years. Due to the incredible water pressure, almost everything there turns into fine grayish-yellow thick mud.

Mariana Trench

6. Liquid sulfur

Daikoku Volcano, which is located at a depth of about 414 meters on the way to the Mariana Trench, is the source of one of the most rare phenomena on our planet. Here is lake of pure molten sulfur. The only place where liquid sulfur can be found is Jupiter's moon Io.

In this pit, called the "cauldron", there is a bubbling black emulsion boils at 187 degrees Celsius. Although scientists have not been able to explore this site in detail, it is possible that even more liquid sulfur is contained deeper. It may reveal the secret of the origin of life on Earth.

According to the Gaia hypothesis, our planet is one self-governing organism in which everything living and nonliving is connected to support its life. If this hypothesis is correct, then a number of signals can be observed in the natural cycles and systems of the Earth. So the sulfur compounds created by organisms in the ocean must be stable enough in the water to allow them to move into the air and return to land.

7. Bridges

At the end of 2011, it was discovered in the Mariana Trench four stone bridge , which extended from one end to the other for 69 km. They appear to have formed at the junction of the Pacific and Philippine tectonic plates.

One of the bridges Dutton Ridge, which was discovered back in the 1980s, turned out to be incredibly high, like a small mountain. In the most high point, the ridge reaches 2.5 km over the Challenger Deep.

Like many aspects of the Mariana Trench, the purpose of these bridges remains unclear. However, the very fact that these formations were discovered in one of the most mysterious and unexplored places is surprising.

8. James Cameron's Dive into the Mariana Trench

Since opening himself deep place Mariana Trench - "Challenger Deep" in 1875, only three people visited here. The first were American Lieutenant Don Walsh and researcher Jacques Picard, who dived on January 23, 1960 on the ship Trieste.

52 years later, another person dared to dive here - a famous film director. James Cameron. So On March 26, 2012, Cameron sank to the bottom and took some photos.