The deep blue-blooded fix in the world has been affirm in Chetumal Bay , Mexico . investigator estimate the Taam Ja ' Blue Hole has a depth of at least 420 meters ( 1,380 foot ) , but have yet to reach the bottom of the earth ’s deep blue hole .
What are blue holes?
Blue holes like Taam Ja ’ formedduring the last Ice Agewhen sea levels were over 100 meters ( 330 animal foot ) low than the present day . They would have started life as a limestone cave , but as the seawater rise up , it flood , and the cap collapsed to mold a marine cavern .
Their yesteryear means that scientist have even discovered fogey of prehistoric tool , like tortoises and crocodile , plant in their wall . In the modern solar day , they ’re home to corals , ocean turtles , sharks , and a wealth of unique microbial life .
Perhaps one of the most notable for its engulfing appearance is the Great Blue Hole off the seacoast of Belize . However , atjust under 130 metersin depth ( 427 infantry ) t’is but a puddle compared to Taam Ja ’ .
The Great Blue Hole off Belize is huge, but nothing compared to the depth of Taam Ja' Blue Hole.Image credit: Kota Irie / Shutterstock.com
The deepest blue hole in the world
Taam Ja ’ actually started out as the 2nd deepest blue hole in the worldly concern when scientist took their first prima donna into its frame . In a2023 newspaper , it was estimated to be around 274 meters ( 899 foot ) late , earning it the name Taam Ja ’ which means “ deep water ” in the Mayan language .
Now , a Modern newspaper has give away that our initial estimation of the Taam Ja ’ Blue Hole were just the airfoil , revealing it dip at least a further 146 meters ( 479 feet ) than expected . However , since we have n’t yet reach the bottom of Taam Ja ’ , we ’ve yet to establish just how recondite the mysterious blue hole hump to skill really is .
Taam Ja’ Blue Hole – just the start?
As well as uncovering the staggering depth of the Taam Ja ’ Blue Hole , the sketch suggests that it may well form part of a connected system of hidden caves , but we ’ll need to take a proper look to know for certain , as well as to make out how far down it goes .
“ Comparison with Caribbean urine condition at the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System , Rand lagune , and estuaries suggests potential subterraneous connections , ” wrote the field of study writer . “ Further enquiry and implementation of underwater navigation engineering science are crucial to decipher its maximum depth and the possibilities of forming part of an interconnected system of cave and tunnel . ”
The discipline is published inFrontiers in Marine Science .
Unfortunately, one cannot simply swim to the bottom of the deepest blue hole in the world.Image credit: Alcerreca-Huerta et al.,Frontiers in Marine Science, 2023 (CC BY 4.0)
