The first manned mission has reached the bottom of the Atacama Trench - 8065m!

Organised by Caldan Oceanic, the first manned mission to the bottom of the Atacama Trench reached its target and was successful.

Renowned explorer Victor Vescovo and Chilean scientist Dr Osvaldo Ulloa became the first people to reach the bottom of the Atacama Trench. For Vescovo, founder of Caldan Oceanic, it was another mission to the deepest places on the planet. This time he was accompanied by Dr Ulloa, director of the Milenio de Oceanografia Institute (IMO).

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The two scientists embarked on a deep-sea research mission on January 21, 2022.Their goal was exploration of the Atacama TrenchThe Peru-Chile Trench is the deepest place in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Also known as the Peru-Chile Trench, it is the longest geological formation of its kind in the world. The trench is located off the coast of South America and measures 160 km in length with an average width of 64 km. The deepest part of the Atacama Trench is Richards Depth, where the bottom is 8065 m from the surface.

Being able to glide along the seabed for three hours and do exploration with someone who has been exploring the area for most of his career was fantastic – said Vescovo after his ascent.

Purpose of the expedition

The purpose of the mission to the bottom of the Atacama Trench was to conduct bathymetric mapping of the seabed and collect samples at various depths. IMO scientists will now use the data provided to select the best places to install sensors for the Integrated Deep Ocean Observing System (IDOOS) project. This is a programme that involves studying the deepest parts of the ocean. The intention of the researchers from Chile is to create an observation system anchored in the deep ocean. By combining geophysics and oceanography, the scientists want to create an early warning system for earthquakes and tsunamis.

Of course, this was not the first exploratory diving Victor Vescovo. The American, using his Limiting Factor vehicle, has in recent years visited the deepest parts of all the oceans. He is the first man to have succeeded in such a feat.

Photo: Caldan Oceanic