The deepest reaches of our planet remain largely undiscovered

Space · Published 23 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: A systematic survey of the Mariana Trench revealed that we have barely scratched the surface of deep-sea life. This documentary tracks a descent into the hadal zone to explore why the ocean's most extreme environments are still full of surprises.

In 2021, the crewed submersible Fendouzhe conducted 33 dives into the hadal zone, reaching depths of nearly 11 kilometers. The expedition identified a staggering 89.4% of microbial species as being previously undescribed by science.

The exploration covers diverse ecosystems including hydrothermal vents and bioluminescent life, while challenging the assumption that deep-sea trenches are biologically isolated. These findings suggest that despite 150 years of exploration, the ocean floor remains a frontier of significant biological mystery.

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