World’s deepest blue hole discovered in Mexico.

• Researchers have discovered the world’s deepest blue hole, named Tam Ja Blue Hole (TJBH), located in Mexico’s Chetumal Gulf. It was initially thought to be the second deepest, but recent measurements have now recorded it at a depth of more than 1,380 feet (420 m) below mean sea level (mbSL), surpassing all other blue holes known to date.

• The revised depth of the Tam Ja' Blue Hole was revealed in an article published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. The new measurement, which reached a quarter-mile below the ocean floor into the mesopelagic zone, or twilight zone, where sunlight is significantly reduced, was a surprise to the research team.

• A CBS report said the area is characterized by its minimal light access and high concentration of marine life. Its bottom is yet to be reached. This discovery is significant because previous methods using echo sounders were limited due to the unpredictable blue hole size and varying water density.

• This discovery puts Tam Ja far ahead of other known underwater sinkholes, such as the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole in the South China Sea, which measures approximately 301 mbsl, and the Dean Blue Hole in the Bahamas, measuring approximately 202 mbsl.

• According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), blue holes host diverse marine life, including coral, sponges, mollusks, sea turtles and sharks.

• Blue holes, also known as karst formations, are geological wonders formed by the gradual dissolution of a soluble bedrock such as limestone or gypsum.

• However, their exploration has been limited by challenging access conditions, as most blue holes consist of small openings under several hundred feet of water, making them inaccessible to automated submersibles.

04 May 2024