Chinese researchers claim to have found the world's deepest underwater blue “Dragon Hole” located in the South China Sea.

State-run China Central Television (CCTV) said that the 426-foot-wide submerged sinkhole has made it to the record books as the world's deepest ocean blue hole. “Dragon Hole” has surpassed the current record holder, Dean's Blue Hole near the Bahamas, by more than 300 feet. The blue hole is called the “eye” by locals and lies within the disputed Paracel Islands. 

Like Us on Facebook

The research team, in partnership with the Sansha Ship Course Research Institute for Coral Protection, found out that the upper portion of the “Dragon Hole” supported more than 20 species of fish and marine organisms and the areas below 300 feet were devoid of life because of the near-zero levels of oxygen.

Researchers started exploring the “Dragon Hole” in August 2015 and completed the project last month, The Independent reported. The research team used a Video Ray Pro 4 underwater robot to explore the sinkhole. Yang Zuosheng, a professor at the Ocean University of China, said researchers used various methods to determine the depth of “Dragon Hole.” 

“[Determining] the depth has to be done through a series of calibrations — for example, calibrations [based on] tidal water levels, temperature, level of salt, sea water density. But no matter which type of calibration, the depth should be around 300 meters,” he said.

A blue hole is a roughly circular sinkhole. The name reflects the color contrast between the dark blue inside the hole and the light blue waters surrounding it.

The findings of the researchers were curated by an expert panel led by Meng Wei, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Meng said blue holes are odd marine landforms that are important for marine research and the construction of marine projects.

The panel has advised Sansha City Government to include protection and exploitation of the blue hole in the five-year plan at the country, provincial or city level.

Tagschina, World's Deepest Blue Hole, World's Deepest largest hole, Blue Hole, Dragon hole, Sinkhole, South China Sea, China Central Television, Paracel Islands