World’s Second Deepest Blue Hole Found In Mexico, Know Interesting Facts & About First Hole

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In Chetumal Bay, off the Yucatan Peninsula coast in Mexico, scientists have just discovered the 2nd deepest blue hole in the world. Taam Ja', which translates to "deep water" in Mayan, is the name given to the blue hole in Mexico.

It has sides that are steep with slopes of about 80 degrees, according to reports. It stated that the cavern's mouth is around fifteen feet below sea level. It was first found in 2021, but research wasn't released until February 2023 in the Frontiers in Marine Science magazine.

According to reports, they are thought to have formed during the Ice Age, when the level of the sea was up to 100 to 120 metres lower than it is today. The recently discovered blue hole, is about 900 feet deep and covers a surface area of 147,000 square ft at this depth.

Researchers travelled to Taam Ja' by submarine. The sinkhole was studied by researchers using thermohaline profiles, echo-sounding, chemical analysis of the water samples they took, and scuba diving. The temperature and salinity of the water at the deeper depths of the sinkhole were also different, according to researchers.

What is a blue hole?

The term "blue hole" refers to an enormous undersea sinkhole that is hundreds of metres long, typically found in shallow marine waters, considerably deeper than the surrounding sea water, and typically has a deeper shade of blue due to the depth. As per scientific believes these blue holes are originated during the era of Ice Age, when ocean levels were up to 100- 20 metres lower then it is now.

Scientifically speaking, blue holes are mysterious. Due to their difficulty in being reached, few researchers have attempted to study them. Blue holes are hotspots for the environment. They may boast a plethora of fauna and flora. It's interesting to note that sunshine is only present near the surface and that oxygen is scarce inside the caverns.

Scientists can learn more about life on Earth millions of years ago when there was no oxygen by looking at the enormous holes. They might also provide us with additional information regarding planetary life.

Where is the first deepest blue hole?

In the South China Sea, a hole known as the "Dragon Hole", the deepest hole in the world, was found in 2016. It is deeper than 980 feet, according to the research documents. Despite the fact that scientists have discovered a number of blue holes throughout the planet, their inaccessibility makes them difficult to explore and analyse.