An international collaboration of scientists has found evidence suggesting the world's deepest part of ocean, the Marianas Trench in the Northern Pacific, to be teeming with life, including a new species of fish.
The Saipan Tribune reports that researchers aboard the R/V Falkor explored life in what is called the "hadal zone", which is between 6,000 and 11,000 metres under the sea.
The expedition's co-chief scientist, Jeff Drazen, says the researchers found evidence of boulder fields, "crazy Dr. Seuss-like sponges", and a diverse array of fish, including a new species of snailfish.
Dr Drazen says the scientists discovered fish at depths of 8,200 metres - believed to be a record.
