The Kermadec Trench is one of the deepest ocean trenches in the world. It is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of New Zealand’s North Island. The trench has a maximum depth of 10,047 meters (10 kilometers) and is over 1,000 kilometers long.
The Kermadec Trench was formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Indo-Australian Plate. This process began about 50 million years ago and continues today. The plate boundary between these two plates runs along the length of the trench.
Because it is so deep, the water pressure at the bottom of the Kermadec Trench is extremely high. The water temperature is also very cold, around 2°C (36°F). These conditions make it difficult for any type of life to exist in this environment. However, a few species of bacteria have been found at depths exceeding 8 kilometers.
In 2012, scientists discovered hydrothermal vents near the bottom of the Kermadec Trench that were spewing hot water into the frigid abyss. These vents are home to strange and unique creatures that thrive in this extreme environment.