SECRET ABYSS
Deepest ‘sea sinkhole’ ever found is at least 1,380ft down with mystery tunnels but scientists still haven’t hit bottom
Scientists believe the blue hole could be connected to the Caribbean Sea through a tunnel
NEW research has revealed the world's deepest blue hole, which plunges deeper than the Empire State Building, although its true depth remains a mystery.
The Taam Ja’ Blue Hole is located in the Chetumal Bay off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and extends at least 1,380 feet below sea level making it 390 feet deeper than the previous record holder.
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The findings were published in the journal Frontier in Marine Science on Monday.
Taam Ja’ translates to “deep water” in Mayan and was first discovered in 2021 - blue holes also get their name due to the dark blue color they take on from their depths.
Scientists went on a scuba expedition on December 6, 2023, to get new calculations of Taam Ja’ and identify its environmental conditions.
It originally measured at 900 feet, but there were limitations with technology at the time affecting accuracy.
The new calculations measured Taam Ja’ at 480 feet deeper than previously thought.
The past deepest blue hole record holder measures 990 feet - the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole located in the South China Sea, also known as the Dragon Hole.
NEW TECH FOR ACCURATE MEASUREMENT
The depth was measured using echo sounder mapping the first time, but the second time provided a more accurate calculation using CTD which tracks conductivity, temperature, and depth.
“Initial exploration could not reach the bottom and confirm its position, prompting an ongoing investigation into the geomorphological features of TJBH,” the study said.
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The research found that, "with no bottom yet reached, establishing the TJBH as the deepest-known blue hole globally.”
A CTD tracker consists of a set of probes attached to a metal frame that is lowered into the water with a cable.
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DIVERSE MARINE LIFE
Blue holes form over thousands of years due to melting glaciers from the Ice Age in parts of the oceans where the bedrock is made of soluble material like limestone or marble.
This allows water to burst through cracks and create a deep water-filled environment.
Blue holes are known to have diverse ecosystems field with various types of marine life like corals, sponges, mollusks, sea turtles, sharks, and more.
Taam Ja’ is recognized as one of the best scuba diving sites in the world due to its vast exploration potential.
What is a blue hole?
- Natural Formation: Ocean blue holes are large, underwater sinkholes or vertical caves formed by the erosion of carbonate rocks, such as limestone or dolomite, over thousands of years.
- Distinctive Appearance: They often appear as circular or oval openings in the ocean floor, with steep walls that can extend hundreds or even thousands of feet below the surface.
- Unique Ecosystems: Blue holes can harbor unique ecosystems due to their isolation from surrounding waters and limited exchange of water with the open ocean. They may host diverse marine life, including rare or undiscovered species.
- Mystery and Exploration: Many ocean blue holes remain unexplored or only partially explored, contributing to their mysterious allure. Scientists are often intrigued by these underwater features and conduct research to understand their geological and ecological significance.
- Challenges for Diving: Diving into ocean blue holes presents significant challenges due to their depth, often extreme water pressure, and limited visibility. Exploring these environments requires specialized equipment and training.
- Scientific Interest: Ocean blue holes provide valuable insights into geological processes, climate change, and the history of Earth's oceans. Studying the sediments and fossils within blue holes can offer clues about past environmental conditions and ecosystems.
However, a more complex tracking system will be needed to get the true depth and detailed landscape of Taam Ja’.
MYSTERIOUS CAVES/TUNNELS
Scientists believe Taam Ja’ could be filled with tunnels and caves that could connect it to other major bodies of water.
“Further research and implementation of underwater navigation technologies are essential to decipher its maximum depth and the possibilities of forming part of an interconnected system of caves and tunnels,” the study said.
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A unique finding from the CTD tracker was different layers of water found within Taam Ja’.
One of the layers at 1,312 feet has temperature and salinity conditions similar to the Caribbean Sea, suggesting there may be tunnels connecting to it, the study said.
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