Scientists have confirmed that the Taam Ja’ Blue Hole (TJBH), situated in the Bay of Chetumal on the southeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, is the deepest underwater sinkhole in the world. The sinkhole's depth exceeds 420 meters, making it the deepest known blue hole on Earth.
The TJBH has now surpassed the previous record holder, the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole, also known as the Dragon Hole. The Dragon Hole is located in the South China Sea and has a recorded depth of 301 meters. The new measurements of the TJBH were obtained using a CTD profiler instrument. These measurements reveal that the TJBH extends at least 420 meters below sea level, and the bottom of the sinkhole has yet to be reached.
These discoveries provide new opportunities for scientific research into marine life and geological conditions at extreme depths.
Blue holes are underwater geological structures that are of significant scientific interest due to their size and unique ecosystems. The TJBH, named for the Mayan term for "deep water", is located in a region abundant with coastal Karst formations.
These structures remain stable in the seabed sediments under conditions of high pressure and low temperatures. However, when conditions change, such as an increase in water temperature or a decrease in pressure, these hydrates break down, releasing methane in the form of gas.
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