Discover the world’s deepest underwater sinkhole in Mexico’s Chetumal Bay! The Taam Ja’ Blue Hole, located near the Chicxulub crater, has been confirmed by oceanographers as surpassing the Dragon Hole in the South China Sea with a depth of at least 420m compared to 300m.
A recent study showed that the Taam Ja’ Blue Hole was initially believed to be around 275m deep, but new technology has allowed researchers to explore deeper and determine that it is actually at least 420m deep. By anchoring a vessel near the hole and dropping a line in December 2023, researchers found that the water within the hole had various layers of temperature and salinity, with one layer at approximately 400m having values similar to those of the nearby Caribbean Sea.
This discovery suggests a possible connection between the two seas at an underwater seabed, holding potential for unexplored biodiversity and unique physicochemical and geomorphological processes. Researchers conclude that further exploration and study of this distinct biotope within its depths are crucial.
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