Credits and sources
Data
- Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) Synthesis v4.5 (gaps filled from the GEBCO 2026 grid). Ryan, W. B. F., et al. (2009). Global Multi-Resolution Topography synthesis. Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 10, Q03014. doi:10.1029/2008GC002332 · CC BY 4.0 · https://www.gmrt.org/
- Everest's shape in the story: produced using Copernicus WorldDEM-30 © DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018 provided under COPERNICUS by the European Union and ESA; all rights reserved. The organisations in charge of the Copernicus programme by law or by delegation do not incur any liability for any use of the Copernicus WorldDEM-30. · Copernicus WorldDEM-30 free & open licence · https://dataspace.copernicus.eu/explore-data/data-collections/copernicus-contributing-missions/collections-description/COP-DEM
- Reagan, J. R., et al. (2024). World Ocean Atlas 2023. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Accession 0270533 · CC0 · https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/world-ocean-atlas-2023/
- OBIS (2026). Ocean Biodiversity Information System. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. CC0 and CC BY datasets only; per-dataset citations in species.json · https://obis.org/
- GBIF.org (2026). GBIF Occurrence Search, CC0 and CC BY 4.0 records only; per-dataset citations in species.json · https://www.gbif.org/
- NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center, MPA Inventory 2023–24 · Public domain · https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/69506
- JAMSTEC DARWIN and Deep-sea Debris Database: KAIKO dive 73, cruise KR98-05, 20 May 1998 (facts cited only; no JAMSTEC imagery reused) · https://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/dsdebris/e/index.html
- NOAA PIFSC Cetacean Research Program, Mariana Archipelago small-boat surveys 2010–2019 (OBIS-SEAMAP / GBIF) · https://www.gbif.org/dataset/3563c7c2-0173-452e-b282-afe13507fd23
- InterRidge Global Database of Active Submarine Hydrothermal Vent Fields, Hafa Adai vent field (Mariana Trough back-arc, about 3,294 m) · https://vents-data.interridge.org/category/region/mariana-trough
- NOAA PMEL Earth-Ocean Interactions Program, global hydrothermal vent sites list (site depths) · https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/PlumeStudies/global-vents/global-vents-text.html
Papers
- Greenaway, S. F., et al. (2021). Deep-Sea Research Part I, 178, 103644. doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2021.103644 · https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/33477
- Huang, C., et al. (2018). Scientific Reports, 8, 11791. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-30176-4 · CC BY 4.0 · https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30176-4
- Taira, K., et al. (2005). Journal of Oceanography. doi:10.1007/s10872-005-0053-z · https://link.springer.com/doi/10.1007/s10872-005-0053-z
- Kubodera, T., & Mori, K. (2005). First-ever observations of a live giant squid in the wild. Proc. R. Soc. B, 272, 2583–2586. doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3158 · https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2005.3158
- Kobayashi, H., et al. (2012). The hadal amphipod Hirondellea gigas possessing a unique cellulase for digesting wooden debris buried in the deepest seafloor. PLoS ONE, 7(8), e42727. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0042727 · https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0042727
- Jamieson, A. J., et al. (2019). Royal Society Open Science. doi:10.1098/rsos.180667 · https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180667
- Chiba, S., et al. (2018). Human footprint in the abyss: 30 year records of deep-sea plastic debris. Marine Policy, 96, 204–212. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2018.03.022 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.03.022
- Gallo, N. D., Cameron, J., Hardy, K., Fryer, P., Bartlett, D. H., & Levin, L. A. (2015). Submersible- and lander-observed community patterns in the Mariana and New Britain trenches. Deep-Sea Research I, 99, 119–133. doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2014.12.012 · https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2014.12.012
- Hill, M. C., et al. (2020). Found: a missing breeding ground for endangered western North Pacific humpback whales in the Mariana Archipelago. Endangered Species Research 41: 91–103 (NOAA PIFSC) · https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/56243
- Watwood, S. L., et al. (2006). Deep-diving foraging behaviour of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Journal of Animal Ecology 75: 814–825 · https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01101.x
- Schorr, G. S., Falcone, E. A., Moretti, D. J., & Andrews, R. D. (2014). First long-term behavioral records from Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) reveal record-breaking dives. PLOS ONE, 9(3), e92633. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092633 · CC BY 4.0 · https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092633
Models and textures
- "Dark Rock" by Amal Kumar, Poly Haven. Used as a greyscale close-up detail texture · CC0 · https://polyhaven.com/a/dark_rock
Other references
- Great-circle calculation from the Challenger Deep to Guam
- IOC, SCOR and IAPSO (2010). The international thermodynamic equation of seawater – 2010 (TEOS-10), via the gsw Python package · https://www.teos-10.org/
- NOAA JetStream, Layers of the ocean
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mariana Trench
- SeaLifeBase, Architeuthis dux (depth range 200–1,000 m) · https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Architeuthis-dux.html
- SeaLifeBase, Periphylla periphylla (0–2,900 m, usually 0–300 m) · https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Periphylla-periphylla.html
- SeaLifeBase, Atolla wyvillei (0–1,500 m) · https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Atolla-wyvillei.html
- MBARI, deep-sea crown jelly (Atolla spp., 500–5,000 m; bioluminescent “burglar alarm”) · https://www.mbari.org/animal/deep-sea-crown-jelly/
- NOAA Ocean Exploration, Atolla wyvillei burglar-alarm display · https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/multimedia/edu-themes-bioluminescence-media-multimedia-atolla/
- FishBase, Melanocetus johnsonii (100–4,500 m, usually 100–1,500 m) · https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Melanocetus-johnsonii.html
- US Fish & Wildlife Service (2024), Mariana Trench Marine National Monument management plan · https://fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024-06/mtmnm-mp-for-web-v-6.4.24-1.pdf
- FishBase, Pseudoliparis swirei · https://fishbase.se/summary/68464
- University of Western Australia (2023), deepest fish ever recorded · https://uwa.edu.au/news/article/2023/april/scientists-break-new-record-after-finding-worlds-deepest-fish
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2011), giant amoebas in the extreme deep · https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/scientists-id-giant-amoebas-extreme-deep
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography / UC San Diego (2013), vibrant mix of marine life found at extreme ocean depths · https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130222103006.htm
- NOAA Ocean Exploration, Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 · http://web.archive.org/web/20250507044509/https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/06fire/logs/summary/summary.html
- NOAA PMEL, Submarine Ring of Fire 2006: Daikoku (Sulfur Cauldron, 410 m) · https://pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/marianas/rof2006/daikoku06.html
- NOAA PMEL, NW Eifuku liquid CO₂ venting · https://pmel.noaa.gov/pubs/outstand/lupt2843/abstract.shtml
- NOAA Fisheries, Sperm whale species page · https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/sperm-whale
- Ocean Exploration Trust / Nautilus Live, expedition NA171: Sequoia Vent, Hafa Adai vent field, "30+ meter high" (2025) · https://nautiluslive.org/video/2025/06/14/massive-sequoia-hydrothermal-vent-amazes-science-team
- Ocean Exploration Trust / Nautilus Live, expedition NA180: bigfin squid (Magnapinna) at about 5,400 m, 218 nmi NE of Maug, Mariana Islands (2026) · https://nautiluslive.org/video/2026/07/29/magnificent-magnapinna-marianas
- Ocean Exploration Trust / Nautilus Live, expedition NA179: dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis) on the Mariana abyssal plain, dive past 5,800 m (2026) · https://nautiluslive.org/video/2026/07/17/abyssal-plain-animals-meet-rov-little-hercules
- Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, NW Rota-1 · https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=284211
- Wikipedia, List of people who descended to Challenger Deep · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_descended_to_Challenger_Deep
- US Navy History and Heritage Command, H-Gram 041 · https://history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-041/h-041-6.html
- WHOI press release, Nereus reaches the deepest part of the ocean (2009) · https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/hybrid-remotely-operated-vehicle-nereus-reaches-deepest-part-of-the-ocean
- Mount Everest height, 8,848.86 m (2020 Nepal–China survey, via AP)
- Guinness World Records, Deepest scuba dive (male): Ahmed Gabr, 332.35 m, Red Sea off Dahab, Egypt, 18 September 2014 · https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/deepest-scuba-dive-(male)
- CTBUH Skyscraper Center, Burj Khalifa (height to architectural top, 828 m) · https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/burj-khalifa/3
- NOAA Ocean Exploration, Titanic Bow (image of the day, 15 April 2021): wreck at 3,800 m · https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/multimedia/daily-image/media/20210415.html
- Guinness World Records, Deepest shipwreck: USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), 6,865 m, Philippine Sea, 2022; USS Johnston's deepest part at 6,468.6 m, 2021 · https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/deepest-shipwreck
- NOAA National Ocean Service, How deep is the ocean? (average depth 3,682 m) · https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/oceandepth.html
- NASA, “Where in the Air?” classroom activity, student guide (commercial jetliners cruise at about 9.8–11.9 km) · https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/where-in-the-air-classroom-activity-student-guide.pdf
Data files, as used here
- Region terrain: Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) Synthesis v4.5, CC BY 4.0. Ryan, W. B. F., et al. (2009), Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 10, Q03014, doi:10.1029/2008GC002332Retrieved 2026-10-11 · GridServer request
- Challenger Deep terrain: Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) Synthesis v4.5, CC BY 4.0. Ryan, W. B. F., et al. (2009), Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 10, Q03014, doi:10.1029/2008GC002332Retrieved 2026-10-11 · GridServer request
- Species records: OBIS (2026). Ocean Biodiversity Information System. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. www.obis.org; GBIF.org (2026-10-17) GBIF Occurrence Download https://doi.org/10.15468/dl.jcuhhs. 90 datasets, retrieved 2026-10-17. Only CC0 and CC-BY datasets. OBIS licences checked per dataset; Non-Commercial, unlicensed and 'Unrestricted' datasets dropped. GBIF records queried with license=CC0_1_0 and CC_BY_4_0, deeper than 200 m; records duplicating an OBIS record are dropped.
All 90 dataset citations
- Accession ID OGL-#####. The Ocean Genome Legacy Center. Northeastern University. Published on the web at ogl.northeastern.edu/catalog. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Accession ID OGL-#####. The Ocean Genome Legacy Center. Northeastern University. Published on the web at ogl.northeastern.edu/catalog. https://doi.org/10.15468/jzgqtc accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Angel M (2017). Personal library collection of Martin Angel of published and unpublished Halocyprid (Ostracoda) occurrences. Flanders Marine Institute. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/n7unys accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Angel, M. (2016). Personal library collection of Martin Angel of published and unpublished Halocyprid (Ostracoda) occurrences. Natural History Museum. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Baranova, O.K, T.D. O'Brien, T.P. Boyer and I.V. Smolyar (2009). Plankton data. Chapter 16 in Boyer, T. P., J. I. Antonov , O. K. Baranova, H. E. Garcia, D. R. Johnson, R. A. Locarnini, A. V. Mishonov, T. D. O'Brien, D. Seidov, I. V. Smolyar, M. M. Zweng, 2009. World Ocean Database 2009. S. Levitus, Ed., NOAA Atlas NESDIS 66, U.S. Gov. Printing Office, Wash., D.C., 216 pp., DVDs · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Bolick H (2025). Bishop Museum Marine Invertebrates Occurrence Data. Version 1.2. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/kgkez2 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- California Academy of Sciences: CAS Invertebrate Zoology (IZ) https://doi.org/10.15468/tiac99 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- CAS Invertebrate Zoology (IZ) · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Coetzer W (2026). Occurrence records of southern African fish biodiversity. The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/pv7vds accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), NOAA Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center, 2008-05-08, CRED Rapid Ecological Assessment of Invertebrate in the Pacific Ocean, from 2002 to 2008 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. 2011. CRED Rapid Ecological Assessment of Benthic Habitat Cover in the Pacific Ocean 2005-2010. Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Honolulu, HI.Retrieved from http://www.usgs.gov/obis-usa/. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. 2011. CRED Rapid Ecological Assessments of Coral Population in the Pacific Ocean 2007-2010. Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Honolulu, HI.Retrieved from http://www.usgs.gov/obis-usa/. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. 2011. CRED REA Algal Quadrate Images in the Pacific Ocean 2002-2008. Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Honolulu, HI.Retrieved from http://www.usgs.gov/obis-usa/. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service. 2011. CRED Towed-Diver Fish Biomass Surveys in the Pacific Ocean 2000-2010. Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Honolulu, HI.Retrieved from http://www.usgs.gov/obis-usa/. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Program; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2017). Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Rapid Ecological Assessments of Fish Belt Transect Surveys (BLT) in the Pacific Ocean from 2000-09-09 to 2009-05-05 (NCEI Accession 0162462). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0162462 · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Coral Reef Ecosystem Program; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2017). Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program: Rapid Ecological Assessments of Fish Large-Area Stationary Point Count Surveys (SPC) in the Pacific Ocean from 2000-09-09 to 2007-06-08 (NCEI Accession 0162466). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Dally G (2023): Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Porifera Collection. v1.10. CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI) Information and Data Centre (IDC). Dataset/Occurrence. https://www.marine.csiro.au/ipt/resource?r=magnt_porifera&v=1.10 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Deck J, Gaither MR, Ewing R, Davies N, Meyer C, Riginos C, Toonen R, Crandall E. The Genomic Observatories Metadatabase (GeOMe): A new repository for field and sampling event metadata associated with genetic samples. Plos Biology In review. · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Earth Sciences New Zealand (2025). Earth Sciences New Zealand National Invertebrate Collection (NIC). Version 1.6. Occurrence dataset. https://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource?r=obisspecify&v=1.6 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Earth Sciences New Zealand (2025). Earth Sciences New Zealand National Invertebrate Collection (NIC). Version 1.6. Occurrence dataset. https://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource?r=obisspecify&v=1.6 https://doi.org/10.15468/6qgswo accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Fautin, Daphne G. (2013). Hexacorallians of the World. https://doi.org/10.15468/90drpi accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-04. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Flanders Marine Institute (2025). PANGAEA - Data from the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP). Version 1.0. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/qeaaeu accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Fong J (2026). CAS Ichthyology (ICH). Version 150.544. California Academy of Sciences. Occurrence dataset. http://ipt.calacademy.org:8080/resource?r=ich&v=150.544 · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Fong J (2026). CAS Ichthyology (ICH). Version 150.544. California Academy of Sciences. Occurrence dataset. http://ipt.calacademy.org:8080/resource?r=ich&v=150.544 https://doi.org/10.15468/efh2ib accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Frable B (2025). SIO Marine Vertebrate Collection. Version 1.9. Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ad1ovc accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Gicim data base, Pruvost P. Causse R., 2009 http://doi.org/10.15468/tm7whu · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Gonzalez, B.C., Martinez, A., Jamieson, A.J., Scale worm diversity in abyssal and hadal environments (Aphroditiformia, Annelida), Deep-Sea Research Part I, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.dsr.2025.104490 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Grant S, Webbink K, McMahan C (2022). Field Museum of Natural History (Zoology) Fish Collection. Version 13.13. Field Museum. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/alz7wu accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Groves L, Mertz W (2026). LACM Malacology. Version 1.26. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/xxm2eb accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Houk P (2020). NOAA coral reef monitoring fish data from sites across Micronesia from 2009-09-29 to 2015-09-25. Version 1.2. United States Geological Survey. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/swzpf4 · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Houk P (2020). NOAA coral reef monitoring invertebrate data from sites across Micronesia from 2009-09-29 to 2015-09-25. United States Geological Survey. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/949wfb · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Jintsu-Uchifune, Y., Yamamoto, H. (2016) Marine organism occurrence data of the Asia-Pacific region extracted from literature. Available at https://doi.org/10.48518/00002. Accessed on yyyy-mm-dd. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Kimoto, N. (2025) A photographically-vouchered global citizen science dataset of sea slugs (Mollusca: Heterobranchia) from the SEASLUG.WORLD platform since 2015. Available at https://doi.org/10.48518/00032. Accessed on yyyy-mm-dd. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Komai T (2026). Crustacea Collection of Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba. National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/jkxmar accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Korzhavina O, Ivanenko V (2020). Copepod crustaceans identified by Prof. Arthur G. Humes. Version 1.10. Lomonosov Moscow State University. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/nhndwi accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- KUBI Ichthyology Collection · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Larvae collected near deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields for microbiome study · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Lombard F, Mériguet Z, Nathaniel K, Bourdin G, Gorsky G, Karp-Boss L, The Tara Pacific Consortium (2026). Global scale surface micro-plankton dataset collected with Bongo nets and imaged with FlowCam during the Tara Pacific Expedition. Version 1.2. EcoTaxa. Samplingevent dataset. https://ipt.data-terra.org/resource?r=tara-pac-flowcam-bongo&v=1.2 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Lopez A (2026). UAM Fish Collection (Arctos). Version 34.108. University of Alaska Museum of the North. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ovjmrn accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Lunina AA, Vereshchaka AL (2014). Data from: Distribution of Hydrothermal Alvinocaridid Shrimps: Effect of Geomorphology and Specialization to Extreme Biotopes. Southwestern Pacific OBIS, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand, 13 records, Online http://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource.do?r=bythograeidae released on June 20, 2015. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Macrofauna collected on colonization panels at Snail Vent Field on the Mariana Back-arc in 2014 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Mateos M, Hurtado LA, Santamaria CA, Leignel V, Guinot D (2012) Molecular Systematics of the Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Endemic Brachyuran Family Bythograeidae: A Comparison of Three Bayesian Species Tree Methods. Southwestern Pacific OBIS, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand, 13 records, Online http://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource.do?r=bythograeidae released on June 20, 2015. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Mériguet Z, Lombard F, Bourdin G, Jalabert L, Bun O, Caray--Counil L, Elineau A, Gorsky G, The Tara Pacific Consortium (2026). Global scale surface meso-plankton dataset collected with High-Speed Net and imaged with ZooScan during the Tara Pacific Expedition. Version 1.2. EcoTaxa. Samplingevent dataset. https://ipt.data-terra.org/resource?r=tara-pac-zooscan-hsn&v=1.2 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- MGnify (2019). marine metagenome Raw sequence reads. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/2jqcf7 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- MNHN, Chagnoux S (2025). The molluscs collection (IM) of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN - Paris). Version 70.420. MNHN - Museum national d'Histoire naturelle. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/xgoxap accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Moore G (2023): Western Australian Museum Fish Collection - Marine records. v1.10. CSIRO National Collections and Marine Infrastructure (NCMI) Information and Data Centre (IDC). Dataset/Occurrence. https://www.marine.csiro.au/ipt/resource?r=wam_ichthyology&v=1.10 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Motz G (2026). Invertebrate Zoology Division, Yale Peabody Museum. Yale University Peabody Museum. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/0lkr3w accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Murina G V (2025). Zoobenthos data from different sources (collected and extracted from literature), personal archive of G.V. Murina (IBSS). Version 1.0. Flanders Marine Institute. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/jvapkh accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Murina G.V. (2013). Zoobenthos data from different sources (collected and extracted from literature), personal archive of G.V. Murina (IBSS). Dataset published in electronic format by IBSS in 2013, consulted via iOBIS on [date]. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Museums Victoria (2026). Museums Victoria provider for OZCAM. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/lp1ctu accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Nakae M, Shinohara G (2018). Fish collection of National Museum of Nature and Science. National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/w3dzv1 accessed via GBIF.org on yyyy-mm-dd. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution NMNH Fishes Collection Database. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 10th and Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20560-0193, 2007. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution NMNH Invertebrate Zoology Collection Database. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 10th and Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20560-0193, 2001, Version 3.2.04 (0802221). · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP), 2026. Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from NOAA's National Database for Deep-sea Corals and Sponges, 1842-Present, version 20260416-1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Archived data: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0145037. Access portal: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/maps/deep-sea-corals-portal/. Accessed [date accessed as YYYY-MM-DD]. Note: Character strings in [brackets] should be overwritten with appropriate values and leave out the brackets. Note: Database version can be found in the ‘DatabaseVersion’ variable in the database. · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program (DSCRTP), 2026. Observations of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Occurrences from NOAA's National Database for Deep-sea Corals and Sponges, 1842-Present, version 20260416-1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Archived data: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0145037. Access portal: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/maps/deep-sea-corals-portal/. Accessed [date accessed as YYYY-MM-DD]. Note: Character strings in [brackets] should be overwritten with appropriate values and leave out the brackets. Note: Database version can be found in the ‘DatabaseVersion’ variable in the database. https://doi.org/10.15468/aqbftj accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-05-15. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Natural History Museum (2026). Natural History Museum (London) Collection Specimens. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.5519/qd.k6ev1cri accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- NIWA (2016). Vulnerable marine ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean region. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand, 202873 records, Online http://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource.do?r=vme_inverts released on February 3, 2016. · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- NLBIF, Naturalis National Natural History Museum (NL). Invertebrate specimens from marine expeditions. https://doi.org/10.15468/0fscv9 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- NOAA coral reef monitoring benthic data from sites across Micronesia from 2009-09-29 to 2015-09-25 · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Orrell T, Informatics and Data Science Center - Digital Stewardship (2026). NMNH Extant Specimen Records (USNM, US). Version 1.113. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/hnhrg3 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Orrell T, Informatics and Data Science Center, Digital Stewardship Team (2026). NMNH Material Samples (USNM). Version 1.96. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/jb9tdf accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- PANGAEA - Data from Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- PANGAEA - Data from the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- PANGAEA - Data from various sources · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Pyle R (2016). Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Version 8.1. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/s6ctus accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-11-16. · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Pyle R (2016). Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Version 8.1. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/s6ctus accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Pyle, Richard L., John L. Earle & Brian D. Greene. 2008. Data from: Five new species of the damselfish genus Chromis (Perciformes: Labroidei: Pomacentridae) from deep coral reefs in the tropical western Pacific. Southwestern Pacific OBIS, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand, 38 records, Online http://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource.do?r=westpac_chromis released on June 25, 2015. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Ramirez-Llodra E (2025). ChEssBase. Version 1.0. Flanders Marine Institute. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/6v6ug8 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Ramirez-Llodra, E., Blanco, 2005. ChEssBase: an online information system on biodiversity and biogeography of deep-sea fauna from chemosynthetic ecosystems. Version 2. World Wide Web electronic publications, http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/chess/database/db_home.php · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- SAIAB (2016): Specimen-records of preserved specimens in the National Collection of Fishes of South Africa. v1.2. The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. Dataset/Occurrence. http://ipt.saiab.ac.za/resource?r=saiab&v=1.2 · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Saitou M (2026). Microfossil collection of National Museum of Nature and Science. Version 1.9. National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/nmyljl accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography Benthic Invertebrate Collection https://doi.org/10.15468/4w9oc7 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- SeamountsOnline · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Sidlauskas B (2017). Oregon State Ichthyology Collection. Oregon State University. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/b7htot accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC0 1.0 · via GBIF
- Southwestern Pacific OBIS (2014). Biological observations from the Dana Expedition Reports. Southwestern Pacific OBIS, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand, 3101 records, Online http://nzobisipt.niwa.co.nz/resource.do?r=danaexpedition released on January 16, 2018. · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Stöhr S (2026). Invertebrates (Type Specimens) of the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Version 2.23. Swedish Museum of Natural History. Occurrence dataset. https://www.gbif.se/ipt/resource?r=nrm-invertebrate-type&v=2.23 https://doi.org/10.15468/uadgyw accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Stöhr S (2026). Invertebrates Collection of the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Version 6.23. Swedish Museum of Natural History. Occurrence dataset. https://www.gbif.se/ipt/resource?r=nrm-invertebrates&v=6.23 https://doi.org/10.15468/eyda6l accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- The International Barcode of Life Consortium (2026). International Barcode of Life project (iBOL). Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/inygc6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Türkay M (2025). Senckenberg's collection management system. Version 1.1. Flanders Marine Institute. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/twuk2p accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Türkay, M. Senckenbergisches Sammlungsverwaltungssystem, SeSam. Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft , Frankfurt, Germany. http://sesam.senckenberg.de/ · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- United States Geological Survey: Larvae collected near deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields for microbiome study https://doi.org/10.15468/d8pacg accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- United States Geological Survey: Macrofauna collected on colonization panels at Snail Vent Field on the Mariana Back-arc in 2014 https://doi.org/10.15468/wvavdx accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- United States Geological Survey: SeamountsOnline https://doi.org/10.15468/2juyaz accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-09-25. accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute: KUBI Ichthyology Collection https://doi.org/10.15468/mgjasg accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- University of Washington Ichthyology Collection (UWFC) · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- Users of IMOS data are required to clearly acknowledge the source material by including the following statement: "Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent." · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- Williams I, DesRochers A (2020). NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division, National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified random surveys (StRS) of reef fish in the U.S. Pacific Islands. Version 1.2. United States Geological Survey. Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/tk1hwm · CC0 1.0 · via OBIS
- WoRMS Editorial Board (2021). Type locality distributions from the World Register of Marine Species. Available from http://www.marinespecies.org at VLIZ. Accessed on YYYY-MM-DD. · CC BY 4.0 · via OBIS
- WoRMS Editorial Board (2021). Type locality distributions from the World Register of Marine Species. Available from http://www.marinespecies.org at VLIZ. Accessed on YYYY-MM-DD. https://doi.org/10.15468/nmcdsv accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-16. · CC BY 4.0 · via GBIF
- Rock detail texture: “Dark Rock” by Amal Kumar, Poly Haven, CC0 (https://polyhaven.com/a/dark_rock), greyscale, resized to 512 px, contrast normalised.
- Trench-floor sediment texture: “Damp Beach Sand” by Dimitrios Savva, Poly Haven, CC0 (https://polyhaven.com/a/damp_beach_sand), diffuse greyscale and contrast normalised; both maps resized to 512 px.
- Plastic-bag crinkle texture: “Foil 001” by ambientCG, CC0 (https://ambientcg.com/view?id=Foil001), normal map only, resized to 512 px.
- Sea surface colour: “Clear Blue Sea” by Lionello DelPiccolo, freestocktextures.com, CC0 (https://freestocktextures.com/texture/clear-blue-sea,961.html), cropped square, resized to 1024 px, made seamless, light evened out; used as the sea's colour.
- Sky: “Kloppenheim 06 (Pure Sky)” by Greg Zaal and Jarod Guest, Poly Haven, CC0 (https://polyhaven.com/a/kloppenheim_06_puresky), 4K HDR: upper hemisphere only, exposed down and warmed for dusk, tone mapped to a 4096 × 1024 JPEG; turned so its sun sits behind the ship.
- Trench rock rubble texture: “Gray Rocks” by Dimitrios Savva, Poly Haven, CC0 (https://polyhaven.com/a/gray_rocks), 1K diffuse reduced to luminance with its ambient occlusion baked in, packed with its height map; OpenGL normal map; WebP.
- Vent-site volcanic rubble texture: “Rocks Ground 02” by Rob Tuytel, Poly Haven, CC0 (https://polyhaven.com/a/rocks_ground_02), 1K diffuse reduced to luminance with its ambient occlusion baked in, packed with its height map; OpenGL normal map; WebP.
- Vent-site volcanic ash texture: “Rock Ground” by Rob Tuytel, Poly Haven, CC0 (https://polyhaven.com/a/rock_ground), 1K diffuse reduced to luminance with its ambient occlusion baked in; OpenGL normal map; WebP.
- 3D model: “Fish” by Kenney (https://poly.pizza/m/HkUAXudvBt), CC0 1.0. Modified: recoloured, rescaled, instanced with a swimming shader.
- 3D model: “Giant Squid” by S. Paul Michael (https://poly.pizza/m/09Uxw60zbm_), licensed under CC BY 3.0. Modified: retextured, rescaled, arms animated in the scene.
- 3D model: “ROV Hercules” by EVNautilus (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/rov-hercules-b182d28a62854465b6574e7edb743dfc), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified, recoloured without name or livery, rescaled; shown as a generic work-class ROV.
- 3D model: “CC0 Tanaka's Snailfish, Liparis tanakai” by ffish.asia / floraZia.com (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/cc0-tanakas-snailfish-liparis-tanakai-f2db780967654ac28260ffd81859fdd0), CC0 1.0. Modified: shape only, simplified, recoloured; a related shallow-water species standing in for the Mariana snailfish (Pseudoliparis swirei).
- 3D model: “Crown Jellyfish (Coronatae)” by n- (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/crown-jellyfish-coronatae-4f357e90c1eb4813927fd5bd98041bea), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: bell shape only, simplified; stretched into a helmet for Periphylla periphylla and flattened into a disc for Atolla wyvillei, recoloured, animated in the scene.
- 3D model: “Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus” by EVNautilus (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/exploration-vessel-ev-nautilus-6ab1ad3bbae04d55a01bbe5c1ba93373), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified, recoloured without name or livery, rescaled; shown as a generic research ship.
- 3D model: “Humpback Whale” by Bohdan Lvov (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/humpback-whale-7984cdf86d6946ca8e13f94a5ad5b33c), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: textures downscaled to WebP, compressed and rescaled.
- 3D model: “Common Dolphin” by kenchoo (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/common-dolphin-12c27d41204f4b92895e36072b0ba8a6), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: textures downscaled to WebP, compressed, re-oriented and rescaled; animated version of CGreature's "Common Dolphin" mesh (next entry).
- 3D model: “Common Dolphin” by Modbuff (CGreature) (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/common-dolphin-26f38bee544346918d432cc54fe9678d), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: rigged and animated by kenchoo (previous entry), then processed as described there.
- 3D model: “Animated Sperm Whale” by Anees Animates (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/animated-sperm-whale-3076676b30294c119ec2065c3bf3dc47), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified (84k to 24k triangles), material converted to metal/rough, textures downscaled to WebP, compressed, rescaled.
- 3D model: “Magnapinna Squid” by Dotflare (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/magnapinna-squid-be2b90cc7e2f436bb7a689a45aa256c1), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: textures downscaled to WebP, compressed, rescaled; used as a bigfin squid.
- 3D model: “Opisthoteuthidae / Dumbo Octopus” by APO (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/opisthoteuthidae-dumbo-octopus-b798bba56507441fb9abf959128f5f26), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified (23k to 12k triangles), compressed, rescaled.
- 3D model: “CC0 Skipjack Tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis” by ffish.asia / floraZia.com (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/cc0-skipjack-tuna-katsuwonus-pelamis-9431157b2fce4ea9a72d9cfe3ce37a6d), CC0 1.0. Modified: simplified (1.26M to about 2.4k triangles), livery baked to one 1024 x 512 px WebP, re-oriented and rescaled; instanced as a school with a swimming shader.
- 3D model: “Black Smoker (hydrothermal vent)” by klogg23 (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/black-smoker-hydrothermal-vent-7210f54bb30943ea80347472ce00b64f), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified, recoloured as a white chimney, rescaled; an illustrative chimney at the Champagne vent.
- 3D model: “Warty Sea Cucumber” by MontereyBayAquariumEducation (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/warty-sea-cucumber-8db8cecbb96f4427afaebd6b1705887b), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified, recoloured grey, rescaled; standing in for the Challenger Deep holothurians.
- 3D model: “Leptoseris cailletti” by The Smithsonian Institution (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/leptoseris-cailletti-e5535bece6124853875de5b755013b39), CC0 1.0. Modified: simplified, recoloured as sediment, rescaled; shape standing in for a xenophyophore.
- 3D model: “Garbage Bag” by Eydeet (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/garbage-bag-fe19781220b5456a878ce9ae8cfefc74), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified, recoloured as clear aged polyethylene, rescaled; the plastic bag at the footprint (shape illustrative).
- 3D model: “Sequoia Vent” by EVNautilus (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/sequoia-vent-a4d2eac3474e42d095a54478f0f7b038), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modified: simplified (1.0M to about 140k and 60k triangles), photo textures re-baked into one wrapped texture, rescaled.
- 3D model: “Moon Rock 01, 03 and 05” by Greg Zaal, Rico Cilliers, Jenelle van Heerden, Dario Barresi (Poly Haven) (https://polyhaven.com/models/rocks), CC0 1.0. Modified: simplified, textures resized to 512 px; recoloured and silt-dusted in the shader, as boulders at the foot of the hadal wall.
- Sound: synthesized in the browser; no recordings are used.
Not for navigation.
Vehicle and animal models are stylised reconstructions, not official models, and are not affiliated with or endorsed by their owners or builders.
Data providers and institutions are credited as sources only. Their inclusion does not imply that they endorse or partner with PICKURPAGE.
Built by PICKURPAGE — want something like this?
Go deeper: the Seabed 2030 project to map the whole ocean floor, and NOAA Ocean Exploration.