An international team of researchers, during a survey of the Mariana trench has found a new species of fish and found evidence of other known species living at new depths.

The Mariana trench is the deepest known part of the ocean, far too deep for humans to visit. At the deepest part of the trench the water pressure would be the equivalent of “one person trying to support 50 jumbo jets” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA).

The survey was conducted using the Hadal-Lander, a vehicle built in Aberdeen Scotland for deep sea research. The vehicle is equipped with a variety of high resolution cameras, scientific instruments and an array of small baited funnel traps used to lure and trap small animals.

The researchers deployed the craft an unprecedented 92 times along the trench at depths ranging from 5000 – 10,600 meters.

At a depth of 8145 meters the team observed a kind of snail fish, 500 meters deeper than any fish has been observed previously.

“This really deep fish did not look like anything we had seen before, nor does it look like anything we know of, it is unbelievably fragile, with large wing-like fins and a head resembling a cartoon dog,” said Dr Alan Jamieson from the University of Aberdeen in a statement.

During the expedition the team also captured images of a ‘supergiant’ amphipod. These extremely large crustacean was originally discovered in traps off of New Zealand in 2012 but has never before been observed in its natural habitat. Video footage collected by the team shows the animal swimming, feeding and fighting off predators. A number of other species were also filmed, setting new depth records for three fish families.

“Knowing these creatures exist is one thing, but to watch them alive in their natural habitat and interacting with other species is truly amazing, we have learnt a great deal,” said Dr Jamieson.

The goal of the Hadal Ecosystem Studies (HADES) 30-day expedition was to characterize the environments of the deepest area of the ocean, including the ecological, geological environment and animal species. The research team included marine biologists, geologists, microbiologists and geneticists.

“Many studies have rushed to the bottom of the trench but from an ecological view that is very limiting.  It’s like trying to understand a mountain ecosystem by only looking at its summit,” said Dr. Jeff Drazen, co-chief scientist from the University of Hawaii.

“Rarely, do we get a full perspective of the ocean’s unique deep environments. The questions that the scientists will be able to answer following this cruise will pave the way for a better understanding of the deep sea, which is not exempt from human impact,” added Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

This report comes on the heels of a study released earlier in the month which shows that life may exist beneath the Earth’s surface at previously unpredicted depths. The study published in Nature on December 18, examined water deep in 19 different mine sites and found conditions favorable for microbial life in ancient, precambrian rock.

Both studies contribute to what we know about life on Earth, which will aid in the search for life on Mars and elsewhere in the solar system.