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"Only a few people have ever visited Challenger Deep."

That kind of goes towards the answer of why it was useful, but also begs the question of why there haven't been more scientists there.

Possibly the combination of it occurring at great depth and there being another instrument-laden probe right there.

yeah you would think if it was so useful they could have planned an experiment like this. maybe it's illegal to set of underwater explosions on purpose for a research institute?