Factorian Deep is named after which crewed submersible?

Factorian Deep is named after the crewed submersible DSV Limiting Factor.

The name commemorates the vehicle that carried explorer Victor Vescovo to the bottom of this feature during the Five Deeps Expedition in 2019. “Factorian” is a reference to Limiting Factor rather than to a person, country or nearby geographic landmark.

Factorian Deep lies in the South Sandwich Trench and is recognized as the deepest point of the Southern Ocean. Modern multibeam mapping measured it at about 7,432 metres, while the submersible dive independently verified a depth of approximately 7,434 metres.

Limiting Factor was designed for full-ocean-depth operations, unlike historic vehicles such as Bathyscaphe Trieste and Alvin, which are associated with different missions and depth capabilities. The South Sandwich work combined direct diving with detailed acoustic mapping.