All trenches
SouthernSubduction trench
South Sandwich Trench
South Atlantic / Southern Ocean, east of the South Sandwich Islands
The deepest trench of the Southern Ocean, crossing into near-freezing Antarctic waters.
Max depth
8,265 m
Length
965 km
Deepest point
Meteor Deep
First explored
1926
Timeline
Exploration
- 1926German Meteor expedition discovers the deep.
- 2019First crewed dive during the Five Deeps expedition.
Abyssal fauna
Life at pressure
SnailfishAmphipodsAntarctic krill (upper waters)
Cold, oxygen-rich Antarctic water supports unusual hadal species.
Science
Scientific facts
- Bottom water temperature can fall below 0 °C.
- Active volcanic island arc nearby.
Seafloor geology
Rock & structure
- Basaltic andesite
- Volcanic ash layers
- Glacial-marine sediments