Discovering the world's deepest blue hole

Taam Ja', the world's second deepest blue hole (cenote), located in Chetumal Bay in Mexico, was discovered in 2021 and has just regained its position as the world's deepest blue hole.

Previously, the underwater depth of Taam Ja' located in the Gulf of Chetumal in Mexico was estimated to be 274 meters.

Discovering the world's deepest blue hole Picture 1

In December 2023, an oceanographic expedition conducted exploration into the center of Taam Ja'. Group of conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) meters to measure the evolution of various physical parameters such as temperature, pressure and thermoelectric conductivity.

However, when the probe reached minus 274 meters below the surface, scientists realized that the bottom of the hole was still far away. The measuring device continued to be taken to a depth of 420 meters. And once again, scientists were surprised because the probe was limited by its own operating depth, not because it had reached the bottom.

This means that Taam Ja''s maximum depth is unknown and it is now certainly the world's deepest blue hole (so far).

During recent discoveries, scientists also discovered that Taam Ja' is connected to the ocean through a tunnel system.

In fact, cenotes (natural holes) of this type, due to their isolation, often have temperature and salinity conditions that are very different from the rest of the ocean environment. However, at a depth of more than 400 meters of Taam Ja', scientists found that its environmental conditions matched those of the ocean, suggesting a connection to the open ocean.

Jessica Tanner

Update 07 May 2024