An Endless Hole Lurks Near the Impact Site of the Asteroid that Wiped Out the Dinosaurs, Baffling Scientists

A massive blue hole, known as Taam Ja’, has been discovered off the southeast coast of Mexico.¹

This gaping chasm in the ocean floor is so deep that scientists have yet to determine its bottom. This makes it the world’s deepest known blue hole, surpassing the Dragon Hole in the South China Sea, which measures 988 feet (301 meters) deep.²

Location & Appearance

Taam Ja’ is located in Chetumal Bay, on the Yucatan Peninsula, near the border of Belize.^(ref) The hole is almost round, and its widest point is 498 feet (151.8 meters) across. This widest part is tilted a little over 10 degrees to the right from north, which is similar to the direction of large cracks in the ground nearby.^(ref)

Although it was formally described in 2023, its true depth remained a mystery due to the limitations of sonar technology.^(ref)

The Challenge of Measuring Depth

Sonar, typically used to measure underwater depths, was unable to penetrate Taam Ja’ beyond 900 feet (274 meters).^(ref)

The presence of a pycnocline, a boundary between waters of different densities, likely scattered the acoustic signals. To overcome this obstacle, researchers from El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) used a different approach. 

Expedition & Findings

In December 2023, the researchers anchored a vessel in the center of Taam Ja’ and lowered an instrument capable of measuring water pressure, temperature, and conductivity. Even with 1,640 feet (500 meters) of cable, the device did not reach the bottom.

The angled descent of the hole’s limestone and gypsum walls meant the instrument reached a depth of 1,376 feet (420 meters) below sea level, but the true bottom remains undiscovered.^(ref) 

Connection to the Caribbean Sea

Data collected during the expedition revealed that the water conditions at 1,312 feet (400 meters) deep within Taam Ja’ converged with those of the Caribbean Sea. This suggests the existence of a tunnel connecting the blue hole to the wider ocean, shedding light on the intricate underwater systems of the region.^(ref)

The Yucatan Peninsula is renowned for its unique geology, characterized by an abundance of cenotes (freshwater-filled sinkholes) and extensive underwater cave systems.^(ref) Taam Ja’ is part of this geological landscape, likely shaped by the same forces that created the Chicxulub crater, the impact site of the asteroid believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.^(ref)

Potential for Biodiversity

While the dark, low-oxygen environment of Taam Ja’ presents challenges for life, similar environments in cenotes have been found to support thriving ecosystems.^(ref) 

Researchers at ECOSUR believe that Taam Ja’ may also harbor unique biodiversity, highlighting the potential for new discoveries in this unexplored realm.

Future Exploration

Further exploration of Taam Ja’ is planned, with the possibility of using underwater robots to reach greater depths. 

Unraveling the secrets of this blue hole promises to deepen our understanding of the region’s geology, hydrology, and the potential for undiscovered life forms.

Source:

1. Frontiers in Marine Science
2. Washington Post