5 Most MYSTERIOUS HOLES on Earth!
If you've never thought of holes as mysterious, wait until you hear about these.
5 THE CAYNTON CAVES
On the property of Caynton Hall in Shropshire England there are a number of small openings that look like ordinary rabbit holes. But if we're learned anything from Alice, it's that there's never just a rabbit down there. The holes actually lead to an underground series of chambers know as the Caynton caves. But these are no natural phenomenon. The caves are actually man made and were hollowed out from sandstone to create arched hallways, chambers, columns, and alcoves. it's not known for sure who buit the caves or why. Historic England has listed the caves as being from the 18th or 19th century, but local legend has it that the caves could be nearly 700 years old. Some believe that they may have even been used as a secret meeting place for members of the Knights Templar. In more recent decades, the caves seem to draw visitors practicing black magic which has led to the caves being sealed from the public in 2012.
4. THE TEMPLE OF DOOM
Cenote Esqueleto, also known as the temple of doom, is one of the most dangerous scuba diving spots in the entire world. it's located just outside of Tulum Mexico near the Caribbean coast and is part of the white caves system that was formed over 12,000 years ago. for those brave enough to enter, the only way in is through a 25 foot diameter hole in the earth. And there's no easy way down. So, the best way in is to just jump into the water 20 feet below. But then once inside, you can start exploring the massive cave system which measures over 143 miles and is part of the world's largest underground river. And these aren't just your average awe inspiring underwater caves. during an exploration mission in March of 2008, divers found the remains of a mastodon that measured 141 feet long and the bones of a teenage girl from the paleo Indian period which are the oldest evidence of humans living in the Americas. Who knows what else is down there. Go find out for yourself.
3. GUATEMALA CITY SINKHOLES
On May 30 2010 a massive sinkhole opened up in Guatemala City during hurricane Agatha. The enormous sinkhole was 65 feet wide and 300 feet deep. And it was so big, it took out an entire city block including a three story factory. 15 people were killed and another 300 local residents were evacuated. Experts believe that the ground had actually been eroding for years but a number of factors leading up to that day caused the disaster including huge amounts of rain from the hurricane, the eruption of the Pacaya volcano only a few days before, and leaking and unstable sewer pipes. But this wasn't the first time that a sinkhole struck the city. Only three years earlier, on February 23, 2007, a sinkhole collapsed in the northeast of the city killing five people. That hole was 330 feet deep and cost the city $2.7 million to repair the damage and fill the hole.
2. THE GREAT BLUE HOLE
Blue holes are one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. and the great blue hole is no exception. Located 60 miles off the coast of Belize, the hole is actually a massive underwater sinkhole at the center of the lighthouse reef. And it's the largest of it's kind measuring nearly 1000 feet wide and 400 feet deep. The hole was formed during the last ice age over 1000 years ago. It was originally a limestone cave but as the sea levels rose the cave flooded and became part of what is now the Caribbean sea. The cave itself is full of stalactites which are rock formations that look like they are dripping. This and the clear blue water massive reef and scores of tropical fish has made the great blue hole a major tourist destination. it's also one of the most popular spots for experienced scuba divers. Thanks in large part to the explorer Jacques Cousteau who in 1971 set out to study what the hole was made out of.
1. THE HEAVENLY PIT
The Xiaozhai Tiankeng also known as the heavenly pit, is located in the Fengjie County Chongqing City China. And it looks like something straight out of Pandora. it's the world's largest sinkhole with an opening 2053 fee wide and nearly 2171 feet deep. Despite being absolutely ginormous, it wasn't discovered until 1994 when British explorers from the Royal Geographic Society just happened to find it. The heavenly pit is surrounded by thousands of different plants that cascade down its sloped walls. It's also home to many different animal species including rare geckos and the snow leopard. And in the rainy season there's even a natural waterfall that forms at the sinkhole opening. The cave is also connected to a five mile long underground river that runs from the Tianjing fissure gorge to the Migong River. And if you're ever up for a hike, there's a 2800 step staircase and wooden walkway that lead through the caves below. That's pretty intense.