The Mariana Trench is a vast undersea canyon that is about 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) long and 43 miles (69 kilometers) wide. The trench was formed by the collision of two tectonic plates, the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Plate. As the Pacific Plate moved under the Philippine Plate, it was forced down into the Earth's mantle, creating a deep trench.
The Mariana Trench is home to a variety of unique and fascinating creatures, including the giant squid, the hydrothermal vent shrimp, and the anglerfish. The trench is also home to a number of extreme environments, including high pressure, cold temperatures, and darkness.
The Mariana Trench is a popular destination for scientific exploration. In 2012, James Cameron became the first person to reach the bottom of the Challenger Deep. Cameron's expedition collected valuable data about the trench and its inhabitants.