So, how deep is the Mariana Trench?

Authors

James V. Gardner, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Andy Armstrong, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Brian R. Calder, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow
Jonathan Beaudoin, University of New Hampshire, DurhamFollow

Abstract

HMS Challenger made the first sounding of Challenger Deep in 1875 of 8184 m. Many have since claimed depths deeper thanChallenger's 8184 m, but few have provided details of how the determination was made. In 2010, the Mariana Trench was mapped with a Kongsberg Maritime EM122 multibeam echosounder and recorded the deepest sounding of 10,984 ± 25 m (95%) at 11.329903°N/142.199305°E. The depth was determined with an update of the HGM uncertainty model combined with the Lomb-Scargle periodogram technique and a modal estimate of depth. Position uncertainty was determined from multiple DGPS receivers and a POS/MV motion sensor.

Department

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

Publication Date

9-20-2013

Volume

37, Issue 1

Journal Title

Marine Geodesy

Pages

1-13

Publisher Place

Boulder, CO

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/01490419.2013.837849

Document Type

Journal Article

Recommended Citation

James V. Gardner , Andrew A. Armstrong , Brian R. Calder & Jonathan Beaudoin (2014) So, How Deep Is the Mariana Trench?, Marine Geodesy, 37:1, 1-13, DOI:10.1080/01490419.2013.837849