Located between Mexico and Belize, Chetumal Bay contains a well-kept secret: the deepest sea hole in the world.
Currently, scientists have measured its depth at 420 meters below sea level, but they know that the Taam Ja' Blue Hole, which means “deep water” in the Mayan language, is much deeper than that and that it therefore exceeds the “Dragon Hole”, measured at a depth of 301 meters in the south of the China Sea.
Article originally published on April 30, 2024
What is a blue hole?
In geology, a blue hole or sea hole is a more or less circular and vertical excavation that extends just below sea level.
This underwater geological formation has its origins during the last ice age that our planet experienced. The latter lasted between -115,000 and -11,700 years ago. It ended at the beginning of the Holocene, the geological era that is currently ours.
During this glaciation, the sea level had dropped drastically, by at least 100 meters, and had left many rocks in the open air which were at the mercy of rainwater and therefore erosion, such as the basement.
The latter eventually collapsed on itself and was eventually covered by seawater when the ice age ended, leaving these blue holes in place.
Their name comes from the fact that they are easily recognizable and are real dark blue spots in the middle of the turquoise blue of the waters that surround them.
A “blue hole” that would contain secrets
When it was studied in December 2023 by a team of scientists led by Juan Carlos Alcérreca-Huerta of El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur), they made a surprising discovery.
When they analyzed the water once they had passed 400 meters, they noticed that the composition of the water corresponded to the temperature and salinity of the Caribbean Sea as well as those of the different lagoons that could be found around Chetumal Bay.
This therefore implies, according to the study published on April 29, 2024 in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, that the Taam Ja' Blue Hole would surely be connected to this sea and these lagoons by caves and cellars.
New expeditions are therefore to be planned to try to find the bottom of this sea hole which seems not to have one as well as the various caves or caverns which would connect it to the Caribbean Sea and other lagoons.
Small disclaimer, if you are thalassophobic (fear of the sea) or bathophobic (fear of the depths), this video could make you uncomfortable.
The deepest sea hole but not necessarily the best known
As we suggested above, the Taam Ja' Blue Hole is not the only sea hole in the world.
In fact, the scientific community and tourists have already visited several of them. Such as: Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas (202 meters deep), the Dahab Blue Hole in Egypt (100 meters deep), the Great Blue Hole in Belize which is not the deepest (124 meters) but surely the wider with 300 meters in diameter.
There is no doubt that with its new status as the deepest blue hole in the world, the bottom of which has still not been touched, the Taam Ja' Blue Hole will be able to enjoy a certain tourist exposure which will see diving enthusiasts s 'rush there.
Source: LiveScience
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
