Atacama Trench (Peru–Chile Trench)

GS I-Geography

Geographical Location:

• Situated in the eastern South Pacific Ocean, along the northern Chilean coastline.

Environmental Conditions:

• Depth: Extends beyond 8,000 meters, ranking among the deepest oceanic trenches.
• Extreme Factors:
  • Crushing pressure due to immense depth.
  • Near-freezing temperatures persist year-round.
  • High sediment deposits influence the trench’s ecology.
  • Perpetual darkness shapes the survival strategies of deep-sea organisms.

Unique Isolation & Biodiversity:

• Recognized as one of the most geographically isolated hadal zones, fostering distinctive deep-sea life adapted to its extreme conditions.