Top 10 Most Dangerous Ocean Trenches

Located in the Pacific Ocean, the Mariana Trench is the deepest point on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 11,034 meters (36,200 feet). This extreme depth creates an environment that is nearly devoid of light and life, with temperatures near freezing and pressures that are crushing. The trench is named after the nearby island of Mariana, which was later incorporated into the United States as part of Guam. Only a handful of people have ever visited the bottom of the trench, including Jacques Piccard and US Navy Lieutenant Don Walsh in 1960.

Located near Tonga Island in the Pacific Ocean, the Tonga Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 10,882 meters (35,703 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish. In 2008, filmmaker James Cameron reached the bottom of the trench in a solo dive. The Tonga Trench was formed by tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions.

Located northeast of New Zealand, the Kermadec Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 10,047 meters (32,963 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish. In 1964, filmmaker James Cameron explored the bottom of the Kermadec Trench in a solo dive.

Located near the Philippines, the Philippine Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 10,898 meters (35,847 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish. The Philippine Trench was formed by tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions.

Located in the Pacific Ocean, east of Japan, the Kuroshio Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 11,025 meters (36,201 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is nearly devoid of light and life. In 1976, filmmaker James Cameron explored the bottom of the Kuroshio Trench in a solo dive.

Located east of South America, the Peru-Chile Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 8,050 meters (26,394 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish. In 1994, filmmaker James Cameron explored the bottom of the Peru-Chile Trench in a solo dive.

Located east of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 8,376 meters (27,498 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish. In 2012, filmmaker James Cameron explored the bottom of the Puerto Rico Trench in a solo dive.

Located east of Indonesia, the Java Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 7,457 meters (24,440 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish. In 2015, filmmaker James Cameron explored the bottom of the Java Trench in a solo dive.

Located south of South America, the South Sandwich Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 7,752 meters (25,350 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish. In 1962, filmmaker James Cameron explored the bottom of the South Sandwich Trench in a solo dive.

Located north of New Zealand, the Guyot Island Trench is one of the deepest points on Earth, with a maximum depth of approximately 7,454 meters (24,442 feet). The trench's extreme depth creates an environment that is home to unique and diverse marine life, including giant squid and deep-sea fish.