There are over 50 major ocean trenches distributed across the globe. These trenches cover approximately 1.9 million square kilometers, representing about 0.5% of the world's oceans.
While defining the exact number is challenging due to varying criteria for "major" versus minor trenches, the scientific consensus places the number above fifty. These deep-sea features are primarily found in the Pacific Ocean, which contains the most significant and deepest trenches, but they are also located in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Here's a summary:
- Number: Over 50 major trenches.
- Area Covered: Approximately 1.9 million km2.
- Ocean Coverage: About 0.5% of the global ocean area.
- Location: Predominantly in the Pacific Ocean, but also found in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
The formation of these trenches is a result of plate tectonics, specifically subduction zones where one tectonic plate slides beneath another. This process creates some of the deepest points on Earth.
