Key Information
Tonga Trench
| Type | Oceanic Trench |
| Depth (Horizon Deep) | 35,433 ft |
| Length | 850 miles |
| Width | 50 miles |
| First Crewed Descent | 5 June, 2019 – DSV Limiting Factor (Victor Vescovo) |
Learning Point
- As the deepest point in the South Pacific, and the second deepest point on Earth after the Marian Trench, the Tonga Trench is where two different parts of the Earth’s crust are meeting causing this deep cut into bottom of the sea.
Project
- Draw a picture of the Tonga Trench and the DSV Limiting Factor exploring it.
- Overview
- Crewed Descent
Location
| Located in | Pacific Ocean |
Fun Facts
- The deepest part of the trench, Horizon Deep, was discovered by the ship Horizon which was mapping the Pacific Ocean in December 1952.
- The Deep Submersible Support Vessel, DSSV Pressure Drop, surveyed the trench as part of the preparation of the descent to the deepest point.
- Victor Vescovo was the first person to descend to the bottom of the Horizon Deep on 5 June, 2019.
Past Lessons
| 86 | October 9, 2023 | (North America) |