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Description
Researchers have discovered the world's deepest known blue hole, the Taam Ja' Blue Hole (TJBH), near Chetumal Bay, off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. New measurements show that the TJBH is at least 1,380 feet (420 meters) below sea level, beating the previous record holder, the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole (also known as the Dragon Hole) in the South China Sea, by 390 feet (119 meters). Scientists have yet to reach the bottom of the TJBH, implying that it may be significantly deeper.
Blue Holes' Formation And Characteristics
Blue holes are water-filled vertical caves or sinkholes that form in coastal areas with soluble bedrock like limestone, marble, or gypsum.
They arise as surface water percolates through the rock, eroding minerals and expanding fissures until the rock collapses.
Blue holes are often filled with tidally affected fresh, marine, or mixed chemical water and can lead to submerged cave passageways.
Exploring Taam Ja's Blue Hole
The TJBH's initial readings in 2021 using echo sounders reached a depth of 900 feet (274 meters).
To obtain more accurate measurements, a recent expedition in December 2023 employed a conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) profiler.
The CTD profiler revealed various layers of water within the blue hole, with conditions below 1,312 feet (400 meters) similar to those of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding coastal reef lagoons.
Potential For Hidden Caves And Tunnels
The similarity in water conditions at depth suggests that the TJBH is linked to the ocean by a hidden network of tunnels and caves. Scientists intend to examine the TJBH's maximum depth and the likelihood that it is part of an interconnected network of caverns and tunnels. The depths of the TJBH may also include untapped biodiversity.
Additional Facts
Other well-known blue holes are Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas, Egypt's Dahab Blue Hole, and Belize's Great Blue Hole. In 2012, researchers investigating blue holes in the Bahamas discovered unique bacteria flourishing in complete darkness, implying that extreme conditions may host lifeforms adapted to thrive in ways that are not fully understood.
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