Life Finds a Way Deep in the Mariana Trench

[MerryBlooms]

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Into the Deep

From April 20 to July 10, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its partners will probe the depths of the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. It's an area that's still poorly understood, and researchers are using the opportunity to build baseline information about the geology and wildlife in and around the deepest part of the ocean.

The three-leg mission will bring light to extreme habitats, sponge communities, mud volcanoes, hydrothermal vents and some of the planet's strangest creatures. To access these bone-crushing depths, the NOAA team relies on the trusty Deep Discoverer ROV, which has provided stunning images and video of our planet's deepest, darkest secrets. You can join the team live as it conducts dives.

http://discovermagazine.com/galleries/2016/mariana-trench

[shadowrider]

1. And once humans no longer inhabit the earth

and that day is coming (humans are just another species inhabiting a planet that doesn't care what lives on it), we will have missed thousands upon thousands of species that were never discovered.

Way back in '72 I was on a 32' boat with a bunch of my co-workers (military guys). In a gale. We were on the bow trying to bury the bow in the waves. Directly over the trench.

We were young and stupid.

[MerryBlooms]

2. Humans are horrible stewards of the earth... we've become parasites, when you think about it.

[shadowrider]

4. Of course we are.

Any parasite lives off the host.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Truly remarkable photos, my dear MerryBlooms!

Thank you for bringing them to us.

[MerryBlooms]

7. Mother Nature is truly remarkable. :)

[petronius]

5. That last image really jumps out at you...

Thanks for the post!

[MerryBlooms]

8. I know, that photo really brings it all together... in a very sad way.

[procon]

6. Well isn't she pretty in purple! nt

[MerryBlooms]

9. Majestic. :)

[etherealtruth]

10. They are all amazing ... but I was particularly drawn to the hypnotic jelly

thanks

[MerryBlooms]

11. Yes, magnificent.

I found myself amazed with all the photos. What an incredible planet we are blessed with... such a shame we don't treat it better than we do.

[KelleyKramer]

12. Wow, very cool

Thanks for posting

[MerryBlooms]

13. y/w :)