James Cameron Reaches Deepest Spot on Planet

Famed director descending into Mariana Trench
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 25, 2012 3:28 PM CDT
Updated Mar 25, 2012 5:35 PM CDT
James Cameron Begins Deepest Ocean Dive
This February 2012 photo, provided by National Geographic, shows explorer and filmmaker James Cameron emerging from the hatch of DEEPSEA CHALLENGER.   (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, National Geographic)

Lights, camera, action. Director James Cameron today set off to do what no man has done before—dive to the Mariana Trench and truly explore it—and he's apparently well on his way. The AP confirms that Cameron has descended seven miles into the Pacific Ocean and has reached the deepest spot on Earth. An oceanographer and US Navy diver got to the bottom in 1960, but so much silt was kicked up they got no photos, and began their return to the surface after only 20 minutes. Cameron, however, intends to spend six hours checking things out ... and filming, of course. The BBC has his final words before embarking: "Release, release, release." Click for more on Cameron's quest. (More James Cameron stories.)

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