Earth · Signature experience
What is hiding nearly 11 km below the ocean surface?
Start at the surface, pass beyond sunlight, enter a world lit by living organisms, and descend to Challenger Deep at about 10,935 m.
Start the deep-ocean journey01
How far can sunlight travel?
The ocean changes dramatically with depth. Start by watching sunlight disappear.
Most photosynthesis happens here
Light fades rapidly
No sunlight from the surface
The world of deep ocean trenches
02
How can anything be seen without sunlight?
Living things can make their own light
Below 1,000 m, sunlight does not reach. Many deep-sea animals make light to communicate, find food, or avoid being eaten.
03
What changes most as you go deeper?
Light is not the only thing that changes. The weight of water raises pressure continuously—roughly one additional atmosphere for every 10 m of depth.
Approximate absolute pressure including surface air pressure
Far beyond what an unprotected human can tolerate
A deep-diving submersible must withstand enormous pressure
04
Is the deep ocean empty?
No. Life persists even with no sunlight, scarce food, and extreme pressure—but organisms need special adaptations.
Make light
Bioluminescence can help attract prey, signal, or hide.
Live with little food
Food is scarce, so slow lifestyles and efficient feeding can matter.
Tolerate pressure
Deep-sea organisms have body structures and chemistry adapted to pressure.
Life reaches trenches
Hadal trenches contain small crustaceans and, at some depths, fish.
The deep ocean is not empty black water; it is an ecosystem shaped by very different light, pressure, and food conditions.
05
Ready to descend?
Rotate the submersible view, toggle its searchlight, and inspect the organisms that appear deeper down.