All trenches
PacificSubduction trench
Philippine Trench
East of the Philippine archipelago
A young, steep trench where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts under the Philippine Mobile Belt.
Max depth
10,540 m
Length
1,320 km
Deepest point
Emden Deep
First explored
1927
Timeline
Exploration
- 1927German cruiser Emden sounds Emden Deep.
- 2021First crewed dive to Emden Deep.
Abyssal fauna
Life at pressure
AmphipodsXenophyophoresSea cucumbers
Sparse fauna, sustained by organic matter from tropical surface waters.
Science
Scientific facts
- Third-deepest trench on Earth.
- Formed roughly 8-9 million years ago.
Seafloor geology
Rock & structure
- Ophiolitic rock
- Turbidite sediments
- Basalt