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The Documentary Podcast

In Our Time: The Mariana Trench

4/29/202649 min

Misha Glenny and guests discuss one of the wonders of the natural world. In 1875 in the western Pacific, the crew of HMS Challenger discovered the Mariana Trench which turned out to be deeper than Everest is high, by two kilometres. Trenches like Mariana form when one tectonic plate slips under another and heads down and there are around fifty of them globally. While at one time some thought it was too dark and deep for life there and others wildly imagined monsters, the truth has turned out to be much more surprising.

Clips

Deepest point, human debris
SR‑71 Blackbird in Mariana
Why eggs don’t implode
Trenches: toilet and mortuary
Mariana isn’t the template
Talking through seven miles
Mariana dive by mistake
Snailfish’s second jaw
Oxygen decline already baked in
Birthday of Challenger Deep finder

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Misha Glenny· Host0:00

    This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. [short musical burst] Today's episode is sponsored by Smart Travel, a podcast from NerdWallet. Do you have a friend who treats airfare like a puzzle and somehow always ends up with a first-class upgrade? Smart Travel is like that friend, minus the group texts. NerdWallet's travel journalists break down the pros and cons of travel decisions, like when lounge access is worth paying for and which hotel loyalty programs actually pay off. Make your travel dollars work harder. Follow Smart Travel on your favorite podcast app.

  2. Speaker 10:34

    [upbeat music] With the American Express Platinum Card, I can unlock experiences like no other. Since I'm always booking my next trip, I love that I can earn points on travel. Plus, I get a Resy benefit, so you know I'm hitting the restaurants everyone's talking about. And you can find out your welcome offer after you apply, which could be as high as one hundred and seventy-five thousand points. For experiences like no other, there's nothing like Platinum. Learn more at americanexpress.com/explore-platinum. Terms apply.

  3. Misha Glenny· Host1:02

    [short musical burst] Hello, and welcome to the documentary from the BBC World Service. I'm Mishell Glennie, and I'd like to alert you to the podcast I host, In Our Time, where expert guests discuss the ideas, people, events, and discoveries that have shaped our world, spanning history, religion, culture, science, and philosophy, from why silicon is a building

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