The 2nd International Conference on the Biology, Geology, and Environment of the Hadal Trenches was held in Sanya, Hainan Province from November 14-16, 2024.

The conference hosted by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IDSSE CAS) is focusing on the studies of global hadal zones. The conference has attracted nearly 20 foreign scholars and experts of deep-sea studies from New Zealand, Indonesia, Chile, Denmark, France, Brazil, America, Portugal, and India.Extensive academic discussions on the themes of hadal geology, biology, and environment have been exchanged.

With the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the People’s Government of Hainan Province, the scientific research work on the hadal zone has made remarkable progress in recent years in China. The Fendouzhe, a full-ocean-depth Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) operated by IDSSE, has enabled scientists to conduct in situ observations and surveys at depths exceeding 10,000 meters. The comprehensive suite of equipment for hadal exploration has provided marine scientists with invaluable data, samples, and insights into this previously uncharted domain, contributing to the collective knowledge of the oceans and their sustainable management.

Aiming at exploring and comprehending the enigmatic hadal zone with a global-wide network of experts from multidisciplinary teams, IDSSE has launched the Global Trench Exploration and Diving Programme, Global-TREnD for short. To date, eight global trenches have been surveyed, including the Mariana Trench, Yap Trench, Kermadec Trench, Diamantina Trench, Wallaby-Zenith Trench, Java Trench, Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and Aleutian Trench. These expeditions have set multiple world records for manned deep-sea operations and scientific expeditions, and have yielded a series of original major discoveries.

Experts attending the conference expressed their strong interest in collaborating with Chinese scientists on the deep sea research. The achievements in the field of deep-sea technology and hadal trenches scientific studies over the past few years in China have strikingly impressed them. They expressed their strong willingness and keen interest to form solid forms of cooperation with IDSSE to boost the collaboration in this regard.

The conference serves as an ideal exchange platform for thoughts, ideas and collaborations. Under the framework of Global TREnD, more joint expeditions are expected to be undertaken, with the aim to further enhance our understanding of Earth dynamics, the origin of life, and global change and more.