48. Is life found at all depths in the ocean? 



This question was settled for all time in 1960 when Piccard and 

 Walsh reported a flatfish, resembling a sole, at a depth of 35,800 feet. 

 From the porthole of the bathyscaph TRIESTE they observed a fish 

 about 1 foot long and 6 inches wide swimming away. 



As recently as 1860, some scientists believed that marine life could 

 not exist below 1,800 feet. This view was discredited when a telegraph 

 cable brought up from a depth of 6,000 feet was found to be covered 

 with a variety of marine life. 



Hatchet FISH 



ACTUAL SllE 



In 1872 scientists aboard the HMS CHALLENGER found life in the 

 deepest areas which they were able to trawl, but it was not until steam 

 trawls and wire rope became available that trawl collections could be ob- 

 tained from the deepest trenches. 



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