The Seoncd Largest Blue Hole in the Ocean Was Just Found and Scientists are Baffled at What’s Inside

By: Ene Ayegba | Published: Nov 17, 2023

Originally Published on travelfiber.com and repurposed with permissions

A blue hole is a massive, fascinating feature many of the world’s waters boast. Blue holes are gigantic underwater sinkholes that can reach the height of skyscrapers. Currently, we know that these large holes go as far back as the later ice ages.

Many scientists call blue holes “ecological hot spots” because of the vast amount of plant and animal life found within them. Recently, scientists have discovered a blue hole deep within the turquoise waters of Chetumal Bay, off the coast of Mexico. So, what’s so special about it?

Origins of the Blue Hole Discovery

Two years ago, a fisherman, Jesus Artemio Poot Villa, stumbled upon an underwater sinkhole when navigating off the coast of Mexico. Knowing he had stumbled upon something remarkable, he spoke to a Mexican team of scientists.

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Fast forward to today, and that very blue hole became the subject of scientific study, published in the prestigious journal, Frontiers in Marine Science.

Massive Discovery: The World's Second-Largest Blue Hole

This recent discovery turned out to be the world’s second-largest blue hole. This wonder lies off Mexico’s eastern coast. It is a colossal 900-foot hole that plunges into the ocean’s depths.

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The top of this hole has an almost perfect circular shape and encompasses an area of nearly 150,000 square feet. It has an astounding depth of 900.2 feet (274.4 meters). This size makes it as deep as the iconic Williams Tower in Houston is tall.

Taam Ja’: A Fitting Name

Taam Ja’ is the name given to this magnificent work of nature. Interestingly, the name comes from the Mayan language. It translates to “deep water.”

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This is a fitting name for a blue hole deeper than most surrounding waters, which are only about 6 to 16 feet deep. Even though the Caribbean is known to have many blue holes, none of them rival the depth and sheer size of Taam Ja’.

The Future of Taam Ja’

With its intriguing name and mesmerizing beauty, Taam Ja’ could be the next hot spot for adventurous travelers. As researchers have pointed out, its proximity to the coasts of Mexico and Belize could lead to an influx of curious visitors from both near and far.

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Who would not want to explore the secrets hidden deep beneath the water’s surface? In addition, catching a glimpse of the fascinating creatures that call Taam Ja’ home is quite an amazing experience.