World’s Deepest Sinkhole Discovered In South China Sea

MEP: Chinese researchers claimed Saturday that they have discovered the world’s deepest underwater sinkhole, or blue hole, in the South China Sea near the disputed islands, state-run media reported.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the blue hole measures 300.89 meters (988ft) in depth, far surpassing the previous record held by Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahama Islands, which is 202 meters deep.

The hole was found near the Paracel islans called as Xisha Islands by China.

Measuring 130 meters in diameter, both China and Vietnam have claims on, as part of an exploration project which ran from August 2015 until June.

Known as blue holes for their dark blue color, such holes are presumed to contain deep cave systems – but to explore such depths would be dangerous for divers.

The term “blue hole” is typically applied to large, deep pits with water-filled openings that form on islands and lagoons in tropical waters.

The islands are claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. China has continued to assert its claim over all but most of the South China Sea even after this month’s verdict by the international tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which has struck down its claims of nine-dash line based on historic rights.