Big Blue Hole in the ocean. Belize. Great Blue Hole in Belize
Serene turquoise blue caribbean abruptly cut off into a sharp dark blue blackness. The water suddenly becomes surprisingly dark, and it seems that a huge number of octopuses for some reason gathered here, and then, being frightened of something, simultaneously released their ink. After that, the coral reefs enclosed the colored water in their circle of incredible beauty, leaving only two narrow channels for people to pass and almost completely closed the circle, fenced off from the world from the outside with absolutely impregnable sheer walls.
They say that the Great Blue Hole is a huge reservoir, which was carved by representatives of an ancient civilization a long time ago for one purpose only. And all because the circle of the pit is too even to be created by nature itself.
An absolutely round limestone well in the very center of coral reefs, filled with deep blue water and decorated with bizarre stalactites, stalagmites, as well as amazing sculptures created by nature, was discovered by Jacques Yves Cousteau not far from Belize (a hundred kilometers from the continent) forty years ago.
The Great Blue Hole can be called the entrance to underwater caves and the passages connecting them. It is located in the heart of Lighthouse Reef, a coral island (Atola), which is part of the famous Belize barrier reef, total area which is about 800 meters. It is not without reason considered the largest in the Atlantic Ocean, and in size it is inferior only to the Great Barrier Reef.
Diameter of this geological wonder- about three hundred meters, the depth exceeds one hundred and twenty - it is this distance, as well as surprisingly clear water, combined with absolutely white carbonate sand at the bottom, that gives the water an amazing shade, because of which it was nicknamed the Big Blue Hole.
At this point, the water turns dark blue because the blue color itself has a very long wavelength of light, so when the sun's rays hit the water, all other colors disappear almost immediately, while the blue reaches the bottom of the pit and is reflected from it.
Due to its considerable size, this geological phenomenon was included in the list of "Nai big holes planet, and is the fifth largest.
While such places appeared mainly due to direct human activity (mainly mining quarries), then, according to scientists, Big blue hole was formed naturally, and is the largest (but not the deepest) of its kind places, thanks to which at one time UNESCO included it in the list world heritage.
Underwater well walls
The walls of the well, which are closer to the surface of the water (no deeper than 30 meters), are absolutely even and “decorated” with brown and green algae. Further, absolute darkness begins, and the sloping walls, gradually expanding, go down.
The first conical or helical stalactites and stalagmites, as well as various depressions and underwater tunnels on the walls of the seamount can be found already at a depth of 50 meters, and on the western side of the pit there are numerous entrances to the caves, connected to each other by narrow tunnels.
The largest stalactites, sometimes reaching three meters in height, are located in the northwest. Here the first bottom begins, it is slightly inclined and covered with sand and corals. It is here that the drivers (even experienced ones) finish their dive (depth - 41 m).
Bottom
You can get to the very bottom of the first cave (located at a depth of 70 m) and then safely get out only with the help of equipment specially designed for this, as Jacques Yves Cousteau did in 1972, and 20 years later, researchers from the Cambrian Foundation.
At the farthest point of the cave, having sailed through a narrow tunnel, you can find yourself in the second "room", which goes up, and from it to get into the third. Due to the lack of oxygen, extremely few marine life lives here, and the walls are completely bare - practically nothing grows on them.
Often you can see the skeletons of turtles and other marine life that accidentally swam here and could not get out.
Here, at one time, three human skeletons were discovered. According to one of the versions, lost drivers, because here you can easily lose your way: the bottom of the bowl is covered with silt, which, with the least movement, forms huge foggy underwater clouds that settle for quite a long time, and the oxygen supply in scuba gear ends much sooner.
How did she appear?
The Great Blue Hole did not form immediately, but over a fairly long period of time. During the last ice age, limestone caves formed here (at that time the sea level was much lower than now). They were discovered at a depth of seventy meters in the western part of the pit (naturally filled with water), and were connected to each other by narrow passages. There are suggestions that these caves with the help of tunnels could well be connected to the continent.
According to some data, about 200 million years ago there was an earthquake, the consequence of which was a geological shift and a tilt of the main tectonic platform, which after that was fixed in the state in which it is now.
This hypothesis is confirmed by the found huge stalactites and stalagmites at the bottom of the Big Hole, many of which are located at an angle of 10-13 degrees (stalactites can only develop perpendicularly downwards and in no other way). Stone "icicles" were also found, which appeared after the shifts of the earth's crust. Many stalactites turned out to be perpendicular to each other, thus forming a lattice.
After the glaciers melt, the water level Atlantic Ocean rose, the caves were flooded, the vault collapsed, forming a karst funnel, a closed funnel-shaped depression that expands upward.
Discovered by Cousteau during an underwater expedition karst formations limestone - shelves and ledges located at different heights - 21, 49 and 91 meters from the bottom of the cave confirmed that the appearance of this phenomenon occurred in several stages, since it was formed by the waters of the sea gradually advancing and flooding the cave.
The first absolutely flat ledge of significant size was found fifty meters from the bottom, and it reduced the diameter of the pit by five to six meters, narrowing the cave vaults.
Undersea world
The Great Blue Hole is extremely popular with snorkellers. The minimum cost of one excursion per person is about 300 dollars per day.
It is here that in the immediate vicinity you can see more than sixty species of corals, dolphins, a huge grouper, sea turtles, snappers, spiny lobsters, pink snail octopuses, harmless nurse sharks, as well as whale, reef and lemon sharks.
Divers rarely descend to a depth below thirty meters from the surface of the water, since it is not only very dangerous, but it is not very interesting to swim there, since the water in the cave practically does not circulate, so there is practically no oxygen necessary for marine life. Therefore, on great depth Few people live in a large blue hole, and the waters of this geological phenomenon are full of life only at the surface - fish are extremely active here. active image life.
Secrets
On the one hand, Jacques Yves Cousteau, having descended to the bottom of this amazing geological phenomenon, refuted the version that the Belize Blue Hole was the work of representatives of ancient civilizations. But on the other hand, he was already mistaken once, when, having examined the bottom of Lake Titicaca, he refuted the version that a city was located at its bottom. Thirty years later, another scientific expedition, armed with the latest technological developments, remnants ancient settlement still found it there.
It is far from a fact that representatives of the ancient races did not have a hand in the creation of the Big Blue Hole, who not only built a tank of an absolutely smooth and round shape, but also connected coral island With mainland Latin America.
Blue holes are unusual natural formations that attract divers. Here you will learn and get acquainted with one of these formations located in Belize.
What is the Belize Blue Hole
Blue holes are underwater vertical caves that go deep and look like large holes from above. This is a fairly common phenomenon, but one of these places stands out for its huge size. Great Blue Hole of Belize located in the center of an atoll called Lighthouse Reef and is the most popular diving site off the coast of Belize. Seen from a bird's eye view, the hole is 300 meters in diameter and extends 120 meters deep.
This place has become famous thanks to the explorer Jacques Yves Cousteau and his team. It was they who first explored this underwater cave, the roof of which collapsed about 10 thousand years ago. Belize Blue Hole part of the Belize Barrier Reef System, covering over 200,000 acres.
The cave was formed when the sea level was much lower and when the ocean began to rise, the cave flooded and the roof collapsed. The Blue Hole of Belize is considered the largest of its type and therefore has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau contributed blue hole to your list 10 the best places for diving. On his ship Calypso, he conducted a thorough study of the hole, measured its depth, substantiated the method of its formation. The study participants descended on underwater vehicles to the bottom of the hole, and captured huge stalactites there, many of which were located at an angle. Hence the conclusion that geological shifts have repeatedly occurred here.
We have included the Belize Blue Hole in our list of “The Biggest Holes in Earth”, where it is ranked 5th in size. It is relatively easy to get here from the city of Belize, the distance is only 96 kilometers, it can be quickly overcome by boat or motor boat.
Since the Great Blue Hole most popular place for diving among tourists, dozens of various tours are organized here, including diving. This most famous attraction in Belize can surprise even the most sophisticated divers.
Diving here requires special skills. Divers dive up to 135 feet deep here and explore undersea world. In these waters you can find many amazing views fish, including giant groupers, nurse sharks and several types of reef sharks, including the Caribbean reef shark.
Another famous blue hole is located off the coast of Egypt, in Dahab. This hole is famous in a sad way, and is known as the “Divers Cemetery”.
Represents a surrounding coral reefs lagoon about 100 meters deep. From a depth of 52-55 meters, a strait connects the cave with the sea. The rocks hanging over the strait are called the Arch. Notoriety for this place was created by non-professional divers who dived in this place without sufficient qualifications and without the necessary equipment.
The deceptive simplicity of passing the Arc often leads to a sad ending. In memory of the divers who died in the Blue Hole, a memorial was erected on the shore. But because of a large number such divers have ceased to install "tablets" with the names of the dead, this scares tourists. 
Geological history of the Great Blue Hole
The Belize Barrier Reef occupies almost a third of the 900-kilometer Mesoamerican Barrier Reef - the second largest in the world after Australia. In its eastern part, great depths there are three atolls. In the center of one of them, Lighthouse Reef, lies the Great Blue Hole - its dark blue spot contrasts spectacularly with azure waters around.
During the last ice age, the sea level was lower, and the bottom and walls of today's funnel were part of a system of above-ground limestone caves. After the ice melted, this part of the atoll went under water, the fragile limestone was washed away, and it fell through, forming a funnel 124-125 m deep. This geological phenomenon is typical for the coast of Belize, but the Great Blue Hole is unique in its size. According to scientists, the process of erosion of the walls and bottom continues, and the depth of the funnel will gradually increase.
Discovery and exploration of the Great Blue Hole
The giant sinkhole was popularized by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who conducted his research here in 1972. The famous Frenchman confirmed its diameter - 318 meters, and for the first time was able to name the depth of the Big Blue Hole by taking measurements from his Calypso ship. IN personal rating Cousteau sinkhole with underwater caves entered the top ten most attractive places for diving in the world. At the bottom, which the researchers reached in one-man submarines, inclined stalactites were found, indicating the direction of the plate shift. Cousteau and his associates determined that there were at least 4 stages in the destruction of the caves - this can be seen from the ledges at depths of 21, 49 and 91 m.
The hollow explored by the Cousteau team in 1988 was given a loud name by Ned Middleton in his book Ten Years Under the Sea. He later wrote a guide for divers in Belize, paying attention to the Great Blue Hole as the main natural attraction of the Barrier Reef.
Diving
Athletes from all over the world come to Belize for diving - this is the main tourist destination this small country. More than 130 thousand people dive every year, but not all of them are ready to experience the hardships of descending into the Great Blue Hole. A diver must have at least 24 dives on their track record in order for a local travel agency to undertake to organize a trip for him. It is impossible to make a trip on your own - divers must be accompanied by experienced guides who correlate the travel time with the tides, when whirlpools form that can absorb not only a person, but also a small vessel. At low tide, it is no less dangerous: the blue hole gushes, spitting out previously captured debris.
The underwater world of the Great Blue Hole
Connoisseurs warn that amateurs clear waters with flocks of colorful fish scurrying back and forth, it is better to choose other parts of Lighthouse Reef for diving. The main inhabitants of the Great Blue Hole are giant groupers reaching a length of 2.7 m, nurse sharks and reef sharks, theoretically capable of harming a person, but not attacking him without provocation, with a certain amount of luck you can also meet hammerhead fish. As you dive Marine life disappear, and at a depth of about 45 m begin dark caves with dull stalactites.
Information for tourists
The water temperature off the coast of Belize is comfortable all year round: in summer it is about +26 ° C, in winter it is a couple of degrees lower. In the Big Blue Hole, of course, the indicators are different - according to the depth, they require the diver to have appropriate equipment and sportswear. The cost of diving depends on the composition of the group and the hired transport. On average, it costs $250. Those who are not experienced in diving can admire the hole from the air by hiring a light aircraft for about $600 per person. The entire tour will take no more than an hour.
Where to stay
Ambergris Cay is an island with beaches and a mangrove swamp in the center. Mostly divers stay in its hotels, so everything has been created here for their convenience: at every step there are travel agencies specializing in trips to reefs, and shops with specialized equipment. There are no special entertainments on the island, only excellent beaches, upscale hotels and restaurants. Popular with tourists is Ocean Tide Beach Resort with views of the reefs, costing about 6 thousand rubles per night, the more democratic hotel Corona del Mar costs 1000 rubles. cheaper. Renting a villa costs at least 30,000 rubles per day. Cheap hostels costing from 2000 rubles. per night are closer to downtown San Pedro, outside of Ambergris Cay.
How to get there
Foreign tourists usually arrive in the country through the airport in Belize City, which accepts regular flights from Canada, USA and neighboring states Central America. From there, guests travel to San Pedro, an hour and a half north, by ferry. The crossing costs about $40. From here, from the island of Ambergris Cay, divers are taken to the Big Blue Hole by motor boats or boats. San Pedro has its own airport, but it mainly receives local flights and charters from North and South America and Western Europe.
Diving enthusiasts, and just beautiful places planets do not pass (or rather, do not float) past the famous Big Blue Hole, located on the territory of the state of Belize in Central America.
Great Blue Hole on the map
- geographic coordinates 17.316001, -87.534779
- distance from the capital of Belize, Belmopan, is approximately 130 km
- the distance to the nearest airport in Belize city is about 75 km
The Great Blue Hole is nothing more than a limestone geological formation in the form of a funnel about 120 meters deep and 305 meters in diameter. Of course, it is best to observe such an amazing natural depression from a bird's eye or helicopter flight. It is from a height that the striking regularity of the boundaries appears before you in all its splendor. There were even legends that this is a huge tank in which "someone cunning and big" kept something. But the greatest French researcher Jacques Yves Cousteau only laughed at such a theory and in 1972 proved natural origin this phenomenon by diving in small submarines to the bottom of the depression.
Colleagues of the Frenchman found stalactites located at an angle of about 10-12 degrees (this also confirms that there were significant geological shifts here). In the course of studying the Hole, a more logical theory of its occurrence appeared. Most likely, this is a collapsed limestone cave, formed in the last glacial period. Due to the change in the level of the ocean, the roof of the cave collapsed. As a result, we have another amazing place on our small but very cozy planet.
Once again, UNESCO citizens who appreciate such wonders have put the Great Blue Hole on their favorite World Heritage List.
You can get to the Blue Hole by boat or a simple motor boat. True, you will have to overcome about a hundred kilometers along the water surface.
It's no secret that this place is both attractive and dangerous. Fans of scuba diving often descend into caves at a depth of about 70 meters, where underwater labyrinths are found. But there were cases when people wandered for a long time and even got lost in narrow passages. For example, the skeletons of three people were found in one underwater cave. Who they are is unknown, but with a high degree of probability, they are lost divers who could not find their way to the surface.
Be careful when diving. Usually divers descend to a depth of no more than 30 meters, since all the most interesting things are concentrated just to this mark. Below this level, oxygen, and with it the extraordinary marine life becomes significantly smaller.
Big blue hole, or Great blue (Great Blue Hole)- a large blue hole located in the center Lighthouse ReefA, an atoll in the composition Belize barrier reef. The hole is a round karst funnel with a diameter of 305 m, going to a depth of 120 m.
This geological formation 10,000 years ago was a system of limestone caves formed during the last ice age.
After the abundant melting of ice, the level of the Caribbean rose significantly lower, the arch of the cave collapsed, as a result of which a karst funnel was formed especially large sizes- a common landform along the coast of Belize.
The explorer of this miracle of nature is Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Arriving here in the early 70s of the last century, he called her "Great". Hence the name, Great, or Great Blue Hole.
In 1972, Cousteau, after research, confirmed the theory that a Great Blue Hole had been formed. The expedition members descended to the bottom of the cave in single-seat submarines. As a result, massive stalactites were discovered.
The cave is surrounded by the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is part of the Belize Barrier Reef. From the side it turns out an amazing natural picture - ring island, surrounded by turquoise water, with its banks keeps dark blue water inside.
Cousteau called it one of the best diving spots. So it is. Despite the distance from Belize, 96 kilometers, the place is popular among divers. Fish abound here, including nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and groupers.
Today, the Great Blue Hole is of value to travelers, athletes, ecologists, speleologists and many people who are not indifferent to nature. The cave is included in the list of natural sites of the World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Great Blue Hole- the most popular place, one of the ten best places for diving in the world. At a depth of about 70 m in the west of the bowl there are entrances to caves filled with water. These caves are connected to each other by narrow passages. Skeletons of 3 people were found in one of the caves - these are most likely lost divers who could not find a way out of the caves.
But, as a rule, divers dive no more than 30 m - this is due to the fact that there is not enough oxygen at depth and therefore life thrives only closer to the surface.
