No matter how solid the ground looks, it is always possible for a sinkhole to form. The soil collapses from one moment to the next, and suddenly there is a deep hole in the ground. In some situations, these holes drag cars and buildings with them, but (luckely) many sinkholes are located in remote places in nature.
Sima Humboldt – Venezuela – 1.145 feet deep
With a depth of 349 meters, this sinkhole in Venezuela is certainly impressive. Sima Humboldt is near another sinkhole called Sima Martel. In 1974 it was decided to study the holes better, but that didn’t go too well. The researchers found it difficult to climb out of the sinkholes.
Xiaozhai Tiankeng – China – 2.171 feet deep
The deepest sinkhole in the world can be found in China. Xiaozhai Tiankeng has a depth of 2.171 feet and is 2.053 feet wide. The hole consists of two craters, the first crater being a lot higher than the second. Both craters are covered with numerous trees and plants, creating a rich ecosystem in the sinkhole. Here you will also find a number of special plant and animal species.
Dragon Hole – Paracel Islands – 984 feet deep
The Paracel Islands are located in the South China Sea. Here you will find the largest sinkhole under water (also known as “Blue Hole” in English), with a depth of 984 feet. The sinkhole is ancient and plays a major role in Chinese mythology. It is also called the eye of the South China Sea and it is thought that the mythological monkey king found his golden weapon here.
Berezniki – Russia – 777 feet deep
Sinkholes have made Russian Berezniki a ghost town. Many mines can be found nearby. This reduces the stability of the soil, so that the soil can just collapse. The largest of the zinc holes is nicknamed “the grandfather” and is 777 feet deep. The area around the sinkhole needed to be stabilized, so hopefully the surrounding houses don’t collapse.
Dean’s Blue Hole – Bahama’s – 663 feet deep
This sinkhole can also be found under the water. Dean’s Blue Hole has a depth of 663 feet. Thanks to this enormous depth, the water above the sinkhole has a very dark color, so you can view the hole from a distance. Here too the underwater world is very rich, with a large amount of tropical fish in the water.
Crveno Jezero – Croatia- 1.738 feet deep
Crveno Jezero has a depth of 1.738 feet. The locals also call this sinkhole the red lake. This is because the sinkhole is in a mountainous area with red limestone. These stones contain iron oxide that gives the rocks a red color. A rare fish that lives in the water: the dionda melanops.
Qattara-depression – Egypt – 433 feet deep
The Qattara Depression is as deep as the sinkhole in Belize, with a depth of 433 feet. It is especially the width of the hole that makes this natural phenomenon so special. If you want to walk from one side to the other, you have to bridge no less than 83 miles. The sinkhole is also one of the lowest points in all of Africa and is known for its versatile nature. Here you will encounter salt plains, wetlands and dunes.
