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Hadalpelagic Zone
Deep-Sea Trenches
The deepest scars in the ocean floor - Mariana, Tonga, Kermadec trenches - reaching 11 km depth and hosting bizarre pressure-adapted specialists.
Depth: 6,000-11,000m Light: None Pressure: 600-1100 atm Temp: 1-4
📖 Overview
Ocean trenches occur where tectonic plates dive beneath one another. The Mariana Trench reaches 10,984 m at Challenger Deep - deeper than Mount Everest is tall. Life exists at every depth - the deepest known fish is a snailfish at 8,336 m. Amphipods, xenophyophores (giant single-celled protists), and specialised bacteria form self-sufficient ecosystems in crushing pressure and eternal cold.
🌡️ Physical Characteristics
Extreme pressure (over 1,000 atm at Challenger Deep). Near-freezing water. Total darkness. High seismic activity.