Have you ever wondered about those massive, mysterious holes that suddenly appear in the Earth? Recently, sinkholes have captured significant media attention, serving as a stark reminder of nature’s immense power and its ability to reclaim what it has given. These geological formations are natural wonders found across the globe. As an explorer, you’d encounter numerous sinkholes, each boasting unique characteristics.
Some harbor subterranean water features or entire forests within their depths, while others are simply vast, dirt-filled basins. Though often impressive and breathtaking, sinkholes can also pose dangers and cause considerable damage, especially if they form in populated areas. From enigmatic blue holes and dazzling swimming spots to enormous underground caverns and sheer drops, sinkholes can be as beautiful as they are perilous. Let’s embark on a journey to explore ten of the most famous sinkholes around the world.
10. Qattara Depression, Egypt
Located in northwestern Egypt, specifically within the Matruh Governorate, lies the Qattara Depression. This vast natural depression is a significant feature of Egypt’s Western Desert. Submerged beneath its surface, you’ll find salt pans, impressive dunes, and sprawling salt marshes. The formation of the Qattara Depression is attributed to the interplay of wind erosion and salt weathering over millennia.
About 12 miles (20 kilometers) to the west of the main depression, smaller yet comparable depressions host the oases of Siwa in Egypt and Jaghbub in Libya, showcasing the unique geological landscape of the region.
9. Blue Hole of Dahab, Egypt
The Dahab Blue Hole is one of Sinai’s most iconic sights and an unmissable destination in Egypt. Situated on the Red Sea coast of the Sinai Peninsula, just a few miles north of Dahab, it attracts experienced divers and curious tourists from every corner of the globe.
The initial descent into the Blue Hole reveals “The Saddle” at 20 feet (6 meters) deep. Beyond this lies a tunnel, “The Arch,” stretching 85 feet (26 meters) long. The Arch’s ceiling soars to 180 feet (55 meters), while its bottom opens to the seaward side at approximately 394 feet (120 meters). The depth on the seaward side plummets dramatically, ranging from 3,280 to 9,650 feet (1,000 to 3,000 meters).
Renowned for freediving due to its easy coastal access and lack of current, the Blue Hole is tragically known for having the highest number of diving fatalities worldwide, with estimates ranging from 130 to 200 deaths in recent years. While the exact reasons remain debated, it’s undeniably not a playground for novice divers.
8. Macocha Gorge, Czech Republic
The Macocha Abyss, also known as Macocha Gorge, is a striking sinkhole within the Moravian Karst cave system in the Czech Republic. This sinkhole is the deepest of its kind (light hole type) in Central Europe, plunging to an impressive 454 feet (138.5 meters). It’s a popular attraction for both locals and tourists, particularly cavers and highly skilled technical divers.
Macocha and its lush green surroundings exude a mystical, almost magical atmosphere. However, like Prague’s infamous Nuselsk Bridge, this beautiful spot has a somber side, having been the site of numerous suicides over the past century.
Despite this, the uplifting beauty of the natural environment is captivating. Verdant foliage is everywhere, offering a tranquil visual treat. Visitors can view the abyss from two platforms: the upper bridge, looking down from a height of 453 feet (138 meters), and the lower bridge, at 300 feet (92 meters) above the chasm’s lowest point, offering a clear view of the bottom.
7. Cennet-Cehennem, Turkey
Cennet (Heaven) and Cehennem (Hell) are the names given to two enormous sinkholes located in Turkey’s Mersin Province, nestled within the Taurus Mountains. These sinkholes are rapidly gaining popularity as tourist destinations due to their astounding size and unique features.
Cennet (Heaven) is a vast pit measuring 820 feet (250 meters) long, 360 feet (110 meters) wide, and between 196 to 230 feet (60 to 70 meters) deep. Access is via a challenging 426-step limestone stairway. The floor of the pit is largely covered by trees teeming with bird nests. A cool breeze signifies the entrance to a cave, which houses a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary dating back to the fifth century. This rectangular church, facing east-west, features six arched windows. A four-line inscription on its western entrance door reveals that a devout man named Paulus built the church in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Cehennem (Hell) is situated about 245 feet (75 meters) northeast of Cennet. It’s a nearly circular shaft, 197 feet (60 meters) wide and 394 feet (120 meters) deep. Though its circumference is smaller, its greater depth and the somewhat forbidding aura it held for locals likely inspired its name. Visiting this hole via a steel ladder is possible but not recommended for the average tourist due to the inherent risks.
6. Devil’s Sinkhole, Texas
The Devil’s Sinkhole is celebrated as one of Texas’s premier caverns and one of America’s legendary pits. This massive shaft, with a diameter of 65 to 98 feet (20 to 30 meters), plummets 138 feet (42 meters) into a vast chamber exceeding 328 feet (100 meters) in diameter. It holds the title of the largest single-chamber cavern and the third-deepest in the state. Since 1985, it has been recognized as a National Landmark. The sinkhole is part of an extensive network of caverns beneath the Edwards Plateau, which stretches across West and Central Texas, formed by the collapse of an underground cavity.
A truly spectacular sight, the sinkhole is home to one to four million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats during the summer. As dusk approaches, visitors can witness a few bats emerging, eventually culminating in a swirling black mass of millions taking to the evening sky.
5. El Zacatón Sinkhole, Mexico
El Zacatón holds the distinction of being the deepest known water-filled sinkhole in the world, with a staggering total depth of 1,112 feet (339 meters). While Pozzo del Merro, at 1,286 feet (392 meters) deep (its exact depth is unconfirmed), is deeper, it’s still debated whether it’s a sinkhole or a nearly vertical cave. Reaching the bottom of El Zacatón has never been accomplished, and tragically, at least one diver has lost their life in the attempt.
This sinkhole is the most prominent feature in a unique karst landscape that boasts over 20 distinct phenomena, including other sinkholes, springs heated by subterranean volcanic activity, caves, and travertine formations. El Zacatón is one of five peculiar, closely situated but not directly connected sinkholes. Its name derives from the Zacate grass islands that float freely on its surface, shifting with the wind. Its extreme depth has made El Zacatón a renowned diving location, where both male and female divers have set world records.
4. Cave of Swallows, Mexico
The Cave of Swallows, or Sótano de las Golondrinas, is a sanctuary for regional biodiversity and ranks among the top six most stunning and abyss-like underground caverns. As part of San Luis Potosí’s Protected Natural Area, it remains largely untouched by human intervention. This pit cave features a vertical shaft dropping an incredible 1,220 feet (372 meters)—or 1,904 feet (580 meters) from its higher edge—to the cave floor. It’s essentially a gaping hole in the forest floor, measuring 160 to 205 feet (49 to 62 meters) across. To put its depth into perspective, the Chrysler Building, the Eiffel Tower, or the Statue of Liberty could fit inside with room to spare!
Its immense height makes it a popular spot for BASE jumpers (Buildings, Antennas, Spans, and Earth), who leap off the edge for a few seconds of exhilarating free-fall before deploying their parachutes. This location is a magnet for extreme sports enthusiasts.
3. The Great Blue Hole, Belize
Off the coast of Belize on Central America’s east coast lies one of the world’s true natural wonders: the Great Blue Hole. It’s situated near the center of Lighthouse Reef, an atoll approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) from Belize City on the mainland.
The Great Blue Hole of Belize measures over 984 feet (300 meters) wide and plunges to a depth of 410 feet (125 meters). This perfectly circular hole is found within the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, one of Belize’s three atolls. It is a significant part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With a massive global fanbase, Belizeans are passionate about recognizing the Great Blue Hole as one of the world’s seven wonders. In 2012, The Discovery Channel honored it by naming it the top location on Earth, cementing its legendary status.
2. Crveno Jezero (Red Lake), Croatia
Crveno Jezero, or Red Lake, is a karst phenomenon renowned worldwide for its sheer magnitude and unique characteristics. Initial hydrological measurements, including depth readings at 39 different sites on the lake’s surface, were conducted back in the 1950s.
Located less than a mile (one kilometer) west of Imotski, the Red Lake is the largest in the area, considering both its visible and subterranean dimensions, encompassing 18 large or small dry or water-filled depressions. Its name is derived from the reddish-brown rocks that form cliffs rising more than 820 feet (250 meters) above the ground, creating a striking visual spectacle.
1. Xiaozhai Tiankeng, China
Holding the title of the world’s largest sinkhole, Xiaozhai Tiankeng is a colossal depression measuring over 2,000 feet long, 1,762 feet wide, and approximately 2,200 feet deep (610 meters long, 537 meters wide, and 671 meters deep). Known locally as the Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit, this karst sinkhole is situated in the Shaanxi Cluster, within China’s Shaanxi Province. Xiaozhai Tiankeng boasts a distinctive appearance as a double-nested doline, composed of two connected bowls. The upper bowl is about 1,050 feet (320 meters) deep, while the lower bowl plunges to 1,122 feet (342 meters), with an inclining ridge separating the two sections.
Although locals had known about this natural feature for a long time, it wasn’t until British explorers discovered it in 1994 that it gained international recognition. These explorers made several unsuccessful attempts while investigating its underground cave system, struggling to navigate the sinkhole’s powerful torrent. Consequently, much of Xiaozhai Tiankeng’s geology remains a fascinating mystery. This massive sinkhole formed above the Difeng Cave due to the actions of an underground river, which still flows through its depths today.
These ten sinkholes are testaments to the dynamic and sometimes startling power of our planet’s geology. From dizzying depths to breathtaking beauty, they offer a glimpse into the complex processes that shape our world. Each one tells a unique story of time, erosion, and the raw force of nature.
Have you ever visited any of these incredible sinkholes, or do you know of others that are equally awe-inspiring? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
