The Marianas Trench is the deepest part of the ocean located between Japan and New Guinea. It was formed by the subduction of the dense Pacific Plate underneath the smaller Mariana Plate. The deepest point is Challenger Deep, which reaches over 11km deep. Expeditions have discovered new species living under immense pressure and soil samples contained ancient microorganisms. The movement of the tectonic plates also causes volcanic activity and has expanded our understanding of the ocean floor.