The World's curiosity has peaked after a team of scuba divers discovered the deepest 'blue hole' in Mexico. A study published in Frontiers in Marine Science details the immense size of the Taam Ja' Blue Hole, located in Mexico's Chetumal Bay. Mexico's Blue Hole is a mysterious underwater cavern with depths that seem to have no end. As per reports, new measurements taken during a December diving expedition revealed the hole plunges a staggering 1,380 feet (420 meters) below the surface, which is nearly as deep as the iconic Trump Tower in Chicago. The study further suggests that scientists the world's deepest blue hole could be a haven for undiscovered marine life. Below is everything you need to know about Taam Ja’ blue hole-
What is Taam Ja’ blue hole?
Taam Ja’ blue hole, is located near the border of Mexico and Belize and is close to several other blue holes in Chetumal Bay. It is named after the Mayan phrase for 'deep water'. First discovered in 2021, the team of scientists only reached 900 feet using echo-sounders. Thereafter, Taam Ja’ now reigns as the deepest known blue hole, eclipsing the Dragon Hole in the South China Sea. With a depth of approximately 990 feet, it surpasses Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas, the third-deepest, by over 300 feet.
For those who are unaware how blue holes are formed, it is formed by glacial runoff over millennia. They are essentially vertical caves submerged in the ocean. They can be incredibly vast, stretching hundreds of feet down and across, creating mesmerizing sapphire sinkholes.
Notably, the scientists are still measuring the blue hole's depth because due to the lack of oxygen and the presence of harmful hydrogen sulfide gas, venturing into these ' doorways to hell' requires specialised equipment and expertise. This limited access makes them a fascinating mystery waiting to be unraveled by future scientific exploration.
Notably, scientists believe that Mexico's blue hole contains more caves that may be interconnected as it goes deeper making it possible that unfound and rare marine species can be found. The cable was stopped at 1,380 feet, possibly due to an underwater ledge or strong currents. Their quest to definitively hit bottom continues. The possibilities are mind-boggling.