10 Most Fascinating Holes on Earth

Published on Today 10/7/2010 under Places - by Gracie Murano
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Great Blue Hole (Belize)

Located in Belize's Barrier Reef Reserve System, the "Great Blue Hole" is about 60 miles away from Belize City and is believed to be the world's largest sea-hole. It's 125 meters deep and 300 meters wide. It was created as a cause of sea level increase about 65,000 years ago.

Its almost perfect circular shape made it very popular among tourists who often visit this place, being the most attractive for scuba divers who are exploring its depths. Divers are also attracted with plenty of rare animal species and forms of life which can be found only in this place.

(Link)

Diavik Mine (Canada)

The Diavik Diamond Mine is about 300 kilometers (186 miles) north of Yellowknife in Canada. It produces 8 million carats (3,500 lb) of diamonds annually. The mine is so huge and the area so remote that it even has its own airport with a runway large enough to accommodate a boeing 737. Photo Courtesy of The Diavik Diamond Mine". (Link)

The Burning Gates (Turkmenistan)

In the heart of the Karakum desert of Turkmenistan, the Darvaza Gas Crater or The Burning Gates give off a glow that can be seen from miles away during the dark night. The large crater is a result of a Soviet gas exploration accident in the 1950's. It was created when a Soviet drilling rig was drilling for natural gas and fell into an underground cavern resulting in a crater which today measures roughly 60 meters in diameter and 20 meters deep. The huge crater was set alight shortly after being discovered and has been burning ever since. The smell of burning sulfur can be detected from a distance and becomes quite strong as you near the hot edge of the crater. (Link)

Glory Hole, Monticello Dam (California – US)

Located in northern California, the Monticello Dam is the largest morning glory spillway all over the world. This funnel-shaped outlet, allows water to bypass the dam when it reaches capacity, as it swallows a rate of 48,400 cubic feet per second (1370 m³/s).The distance from the funnel to the exit point - which is situated in the south side of the canyon - is about 700 feet. This type of spillway is basically a giant cement funnel. The hole's largest diameter is 72 feet and narrows to about 28 feet. For obvious reasons, swimming near the glory hole is both prohibited and stupid. There are buoys strung across the lake to discourage boaters and swimmers from approaching the glory hole and the dam. Furthermore, the glory hole is well fenced off from the land. During the drier months, when Lake Berryessa's water level is well below the rim of the glory hole, skateboarders and bikers sometimes use the spillway's horizontal exit as a half-pipe. (Link)