Top 10 Unsettling Things Discovered In The Mariana Trench

TL;DR

The Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, is home to amazing creatures and discoveries, including the ping pong tree sponge, gigantism in deep-sea animals, zombie worms, dragon fish, thrilled sharks, deep-sea anglerfish, goblin sharks, robots, plastic waste, and the exploration by James Cameron.

Transcript

like and subscribe and you'll have amazing luck for the rest of the week everyone knows that mount everest is the tallest mountain globally but if it's placed in the mariana trench it would barely go a mile underwater early scientists believe no form of life existed here until further research proved otherwise the journey to more discoveries is far... Read More

Key Insights

• 🦈 The Mariana Trench is home to unique and fascinating creatures, such as the ping pong tree sponge, giant isopods, giant squids, zombie worms, dragon fish, thrilled sharks, deep-sea anglerfish, and goblin sharks.
• 😋 Gigantism is observed in deep-sea animals in the Mariana Trench, most likely due to the isolation and food scarcity in these areas.
• 🤖 Robots have been designed to explore the depths of the Mariana Trench, with one silicone robot successfully enduring the extreme pressure.
• 🤢 The discovery of plastic waste, including candy wrappers, in the Mariana Trench highlights the prevalence of plastic pollution in the deep sea.
• 👶 James Cameron's expedition to the Mariana Trench provided valuable scientific data and specimens, including the discovery of new bacteria species.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the ping pong tree sponge, and why is it named that way?

The ping pong tree sponge is a thin stalk-like creature found in the Mariana Trench. It got its name due to its resemblance to a tree producing ping-pong balls. It has tiny hook-like extensions that trap prey, and the sponge devours it slowly.

Q: Why do deep-sea animals in the Mariana Trench grow to enormous sizes?

Animals in isolated places like the Mariana Trench tend to experience famine, so they need to develop larger bodies to handle starvation. Additionally, fewer predators in such areas allow animals to grow bigger.

Q: How do zombie worms eat bones without having a mouth?

Zombie worms are mouthless creatures that eat bones, especially whale bones. They drill into the skeletons and release acid to break down the bones, absorbing the fat inside. The worm's cells behave like amoeba, using phagocytosis to devour prey.

Q: How do deep-sea anglerfish attract prey and mates?

Deep-sea anglerfish use their bioluminescent body parts, particularly their lighted lure, to attract prey and mates. They communicate with other fish through their glow and use their barbell to attract smaller fish, which become their prey.

Q: Why are goblin sharks rare to encounter?

Goblin sharks have a distinct appearance with a protruding snout and mismatched jaws. They live in the depths of the ocean, around 3,000 feet deep. Since little is known about them, encountering them is rare, except for researchers.

Q: How have robots been used to explore the Mariana Trench?

Scientists have developed a silicone robot based on the snailfish to explore the Mariana Trench. This submersible robot, made of silicone rubber and operated by artificial muscles, withstands the high pressure and explores the trench successfully.

Q: What were some surprising discoveries made by James Cameron during his dive?

James Cameron reached the deepest part of the Mariana Trench and collected scientific data and specimens. He discovered new bacteria species, observed the ocean floor, and experienced the immense water pressure of over 16,000 pounds per square inch.

Q: What did Victor Vescovo's record-setting dive reveal about plastic waste in the Mariana Trench?

Victor Vescovo's dive into the Mariana Trench revealed that plastic waste, including a plastic bag and a candy wrapper, had made its way to the ocean floor. Plastic pollution is prevalent in the deep sea, with single-use plastic being the most common type.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Mariana Trench, located in the Pacific Ocean, is the deepest part of the ocean and has revealed numerous fascinating discoveries.

• Creatures like the ping pong tree sponge, giant isopods, giant squids, zombie worms, dragon fish, thrilled sharks, deep-sea anglerfish, and goblin sharks have been found in the Mariana Trench.

• Scientists have also developed robots to explore the trench and have discovered plastic waste, including candy wrappers, on the ocean floor.