Taam Dja – the deepest blue hole in the world
A group of researchers has discovered in Mexico the deepest blue hole, which could provide a window into prehistoric life. The cave was initially discovered in 2021 but was documented in a scientific journal in 2024.
Taam Ja is located in the Bay of Chetumal in Yucatan and is the deepest known blue hole in the world, with a depth exceeding 420 m. Its entrance is nearly circular, measuring approximately 152 m along its major axis.
Blue holes are known for their deep blue appearance from above. The discovery of the Taam Dja provides valuable information about the geological processes and unique ecosystems that such formations may contain.
Taam Ja was found in 2003 by a local diver but was forgotten and rediscovered in 2021.
The blue hole was named Taam Ja, meaning “deep waters” in Maya.
Taam Ja was originally thought to be only 274 meters deep, but in 2024, a team of oceanographers made a new dive and found that it was at least 420 meters deep. This made Taam Ja the deepest blue hole in the world.
Taam Ja blue hole has low oxygen and sunlight only shines on the surface. The crater’s walls of this underwater cave protect the water from tides, causing its current to remain completely still as if there is some anomaly.
The origins and geological evolution of Taam Ja deserve further study in the coming years.
What are blue holes?
Blue holes are underwater formations found in various parts of the world, including Mexico. These natural wonders are characterized by their deep, dark abysses, which often captivate the curiosity of scientists and explorers.
Blue holes were formed during the Ice Age when sea levels were 100 to 120 meters lower. Blue holes were formed when rainwater eroded limestone, widening cracks into vast caves and vertical shafts over thousands of years.
When the Ice Age ended and global temperatures rose, melting glaciers caused sea levels to rise significantly, flooding these limestone formations. Over time, these previously open caves and caverns were filled with seawater.
Thus, were created the spectacular underwater sinkholes we now call blue holes.
Their strikingly clear water and often circular appearance are the result of their geological origins and the minimal mixing between fresh and saltwater layers, leading to unique ecosystems and fascinating diving sites.
Little research has been done on blue holes so far due to their inaccessibility to humans. These formations are filled with hydrogen sulfide, making it dangerous for humans to enter the abyss without the proper equipment.
Despite the inhospitable conditions, blue holes are teeming with life adapted to low-oxygen environments. This lack of oxygen has the side effect of perfectly preserving fossils, allowing scientists to identify extinct species.
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