| |
B
E
L
I
Z
E
-
R
E
A
L
E
S
T
A
T
E
.
N
E
T
www.belize-realestate.net
Belize River Front Real Estate and Investment Properties
W
E
L
C
O
M
E
-
T
O
B
A
N
A
N
A
-
B
A
N
K
-
H
E
I
G
H
T
S
Go straight to the Pool Homes at Banana Bank Heights
Great Blue Hole
Depth: 5-412 ft (2 to 126 meters), Current: None, Visibily: 100 ft (30 meters), Level: Advanced, Points of Interest: .
The origin of Blue Hole dates back to an ice age about 15,000 years
ago. Enough sea water was frozen in glaciers during this time to lower sea
level more than 350 ft, exposing the limestones of Lighthouse Reef. Huge
subterranean caverns formed when fresh water flowed through the limestone
deposits. Since then, the roof of the cavern has collapsed to form the
sinkhole.
Made famous by a Jacques Cousteau's 1970 Calypso expedition, Blue Hole
is one of the best known dive sites in Belize. It is a circular, deep
depression in the center of more than 75 sq miles of shallow, blue-green
water. Its diameter at the rim measures 1,045 ft, whereas its maximum
depth is 412 ft. Except for two narrow passages on the eastern and
northern rims, Blue Hole is completely rimmed by living coral.
For the advanced diver this site is well worth the trip. You should
plan to dive either the north or south side to a depth of 100-150 ft where
the shallowest cave features are found. Begin your dive by snorkeling to
the coral rim. This serves two purposes: first, it conserves air, and
second, it provides an opportunity to get everyone making the dive
together before you descend. Your no-decompression bottom time is short at
the planned depths so it is best to snorkel toward the center to Blue
Hole, just beyond the vertical wall, before descending.
A good way of maintaining your
orientation during descent is to stay reasonably close to the wall. As you
descend, you will notice that the wall crests between 40-55 ft and
continues as a vertical cliff to a depth of 90-100 ft before receding at a
55° angle. The resulting overhang forms a cavern ceiling from which hang
stalactites more than 3 ft in diameter and up to 20 ft in length. Also
found adorning the ceiling are numerous dripstone pillows. More than 50 ft
below the crest of the ceiling, the cave floor is riddled with a
collection of fallen stalactites, muddy sediment and an opening to a cave
system. Surprisingly, the dimly lit walls of the cavern are covered by a
variety of filamentous green algae, boring sponges and encrusting worms.
Little other appears present in the cavern, but the walls above are covered
with cornflake algae and isolated growths of gorgonians. Sharks and
turtles may be found here, but their presence in Blue Hole is
unpredictable.
Marine life in Blue Hole and on the broad muddy sand slope that
surrounds it is rather dismal, comparative to other sites in Belize. Algae
and encrusting sponges mantle the walls to depth. Scattered growths of
unhealthy stony coral rim the wall and occur scattered across the broad,
muddy sand slope between the wall and shallow reefs. Most corals are
heavily encrusted by red algae, hydroids and gorgonians. The only other
conspicuous organisms here are shaving brush and mermaid's fan algae.
The most varied and lush marine life is found on the coral reefs that
rim the perimeter of Blue Hole. The reefs occur in only a few feet of
water, making them excellent for snorkeling. Stands of elkhorn, club
finger and shallow-water starlet corals, giant green anemones and arious
urchins occupy the shallow lagoon habitat.
|
 |
Web site and all contents © Copyright Graham Heyes 2008 - 2009,
All rights reserved.
Copyright
© - Belize Realestate
The URL of this page is: www.belize-realestate.net
 | | |
