China’s manned submersible Jiaolong dived to 6,681 meters in the Yap Trench in the west Pacific Tuesday.
Jiaolong reached a depth of 6,681 meters at 10:15 a.m. local time, carrying three Chinese divers.
Scientists will observe and photograph large marine creatures and the seabed, and collect seawater, rocks and samples of marine life.
The dive is the final one in China’s 38th oceanic scientific expedition that started on Feb. 6, marking the end of a four-year tentative application phase of the submersible.
The submersible plans to be back on its mothership Xiangyanghong 09 at about 5:00 p.m. local time.
Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest point of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.
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