Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

a narrow, deep depression in the Pacific Ocean along the eastern underwater slopes of the Kuril Islands and the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula. It is about 2,000 km long, and its width ranges from 20 to 60 km. The boundaries of the depression coincide roughly with the isobath of 6,000 m; the maximum depth is 10,542 m (the Vitiaz’ Deep). The average incline of the slopes is about 7°, and they have numerous scarps and terraces, as well as valleys descending to the maximum depth. The trench was explored in the 1950’s by Soviet expeditions on the ship Vitiaz’.