Question map
Which one of the following is the deepest point in the ocean floor ?
Explanation
The deepest point in the ocean floor is the Challenger Deep, located at the southern end of the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean [1]. It reaches a maximum known depth of approximately 10,994 to 11,034 meters (about 36,200 feet) below sea level [1][t1]. In comparison, the other options represent significantly shallower points: the Milwaukee Deep in the Puerto Rico Trench (Atlantic Ocean) is approximately 8,376 to 8,408 meters deep [t1][t4]; the Philippine Trench (Emden Deep) reaches about 10,540 meters [t3]; and the Java Trench (Sunda Trench) in the Indian Ocean has a maximum depth of roughly 7,192 to 7,450 meters [t1][t8]. The Challenger Deep was formed by the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Mariana Plate and remains the scientific consensus for the lowest known point on Earth's seabed [1][t6].
Sources
- [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 8: Convergent Boundary > The Mariana Trench or Marianas Trench > p. 115