Taam Ja’ Blue Hole (TJBH): World’s Deepest Blue Hole discovered in Mexico

May 1, 2024

Researchers have discovered the world’s deepest known blue hole, the Taam Ja’ Blue Hole (TJBH), located in Chetumal Bay off the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. New measurements indicate that the TJBH extends at least 1,380 feet (420 meters) below sea level, surpassing the previous record holder, the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole (also known as the Dragon Hole) in the South China Sea, by 390 feet (119 meters). Scientists have not yet reached the bottom of the TJBH, suggesting that it could be even deeper.

Blue Holes: Formation and Characteristics

Blue holes are water-filled vertical caverns or sinkholes found in coastal regions with soluble bedrock, such as limestone, marble, or gypsum.
They form when surface water percolates through the rock, dissolving minerals and widening cracks, eventually causing the rock to collapse.
Blue holes typically contain tidally influenced water of fresh, marine, or mixed chemistry and may provide access to submerged cave passages.

Exploring the Taam Ja’ Blue Hole

Initial measurements of the TJBH in 2021 using echo sounders reached a depth of 900 feet (274 meters).
A recent expedition in December 2023 used a conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) profiler to take more accurate measurements.
The CTD profiler revealed different layers of water within the blue hole, with conditions below 1,312 feet (400 meters) resembling those of the Caribbean Sea and nearby coastal reef lagoons.

Potential for Hidden Caves and Tunnels

The similarity in water conditions at depth suggests that the TJBH may be connected to the ocean via a hidden network of tunnels and caves. Scientists plan to further investigate the maximum depth of the TJBH and the possibility of it being part of an interconnected system of caves and tunnels. The depths of the TJBH could also harbor unexplored biodiversity.

Additional Facts:

Other famous blue holes include Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas, the Dahab Blue Hole in Egypt, and the Great Blue Hole in Belize. In 2012, researchers exploring blue holes in the Bahamas discovered unique bacteria thriving in complete darkness, suggesting that extreme environments might harbor lifeforms adapted to survive in ways not yet fully understood.

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