Do you know The Great Blue Hole in Belize? is a spectacular sea hole.
At the top of the hole is a layer of fresh water, while the bottom is filled with denser salt water.
These layers do not mix because of their different densities. The fresh water, being less dense, remains at the top, while the heavier salt water remains at the bottom. This separation creates distinct environments within the hole, supporting different types of marine life and contributing to the unique ecological characteristics of the Great Blue Hole.
The hole is circular in shape, 318 meters wide and 124 meters deep. It was formed during several periods of Quaternary glacial depression when sea levels were much lower. Analysis of cave stalactites found in the hole shows that it formed between 153,000; 66,000; 60,000; and 15,000 years ago, and as the ocean began to rise again, the cave was flooded. The hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
