Chinese scientists probe unexplored Pacific seamount

ABOARD KEXUE - Chinese scientists began exploring a seamount called Caroline in the western Pacific Ocean for the first time on Monday, using a remotely operated diving vehicle to take measurements, record videos and collect samples.

Part of the Caroline Ridge in the Pacific Ocean, the Caroline seamount is located in the southern Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth, in what's called the Yap Trench. It has never been explored.

The top of the seamount is an oval basin 28 meters below the surface. It's 28 kilometers long and 9.3 km wide, according to data collected by the scientific ship Kexue in the last two days.