The depths of outer space are filled with silence.

It might be tempting to believe that the depth of the ocean is similar. However, new reports suggest otherwise.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration took the time to explore the depths of the Mariana Trench.

According to National Geographic, the Mariana Trench is a crescent-shaped scar in the Earth's crust. On average, it is about 1,500 miles long and 43 miles wide. Its deepest point called the Challenger Deep is 200 miles away from the ocean's surface.

The researchers dropped a titanium-encased hydrophone over 36,000 feet in the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. The said device was able to record distinct noise underwater.

"You would think that the deepest part of the ocean would be one of the quietest places on Earth," Robert Zsiah, one of the NOAA researchers said. "Yet there is almost constant noise. The ambient sound field is dominated by the sound of earthquakes, both near and far, as well as distinct moans of baleen whales, and the clamor of a category 4 typhoon that just happened to pass overhead."

Purpose of the Study

The study was carried out to determine the noise surrounding the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean. It has been learned that the noises created by humans have consistently increased in the past years.

The first recordings will help scientists determine if there is growth in the noise levels. Moreover, it will also help them understand how these noises affect the marine animals. Whales, dolphins and fish use sound to navigate their surroundings, search for food and communicate.

Challenges in Getting the First Recording

Haru Matsumoto, an ocean engineer from Oregon State, revealed that the team had a hard time getting their first recording underwater. He cited that one of their struggles was the pressure underwater.

In an average home, the atmospheric pressure is only 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSI). However, this is multiplied over a thousand times underwater because the pressure at the bottom of the Mariana Trench is 16,000 PSI.

"We had to drop the hydrophone mooring down through the water column at no more than five meters per second to be sure the hydrophone, which is made of ceramic, would survive the rapid pressure change," he said.

Furthermore, the hydrophone was deployed in July, which recorded the sound for 23 days. However, it was only retrieved in November due to several typhoons and the ship's schedule.

Researchers Set to Return to Get the Next Recording

Joe Haxel, OSU co-investigator, will lead the next study to Mariana Trench. The team is planning to return next year, where they will deploy another hydrophone. Next time, it will be for a longer period of time and a deep-ocean camera will be used.