The Great Blue Hole in Belize This project was one of our first major joint efforts that combined several scientists and project studies. The principle focus was on the geologic data collection, overseen by Dr. Robert Dill; however, doppler studies, bacteria studies, sediment sampling, mapping and exploration were all secondary…
Map 1 Map 2 Map 3 Map 1 is of Belize, showing the location of the cayes, Lighthouse Reef and the other offshore atolls. The inset shows the location of Belize in central America. Map 2 is of Lighthouse Reef, showing the Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef Resort on Northern Caye…
The Great Blue Hole of Belize Aqua Venture and divers Survey of the gallery on the SW Wall Matt takes a sample of a stalactite One of the great destinations for divers interested in spectacular and rare underwater sites is the 1000 foot diameter "Great Blue Hole of Belize" located…
Taking the core samples The core sample The Blue Hole acts as a giant sediment trap. Any particles in the water will sink to the bottom, providing a record of marine and atmospheric environmental changes with time. In this picture a core sample is being retrieved from the deepest part…
Preparing and mixing Matt exiting ‘Dill’s Cave’ after sampling Steve surveys the gallery “The Great Blue Hole” located on Lighthouse Reef, an atoll approximately 50 miles east of Belize in Central America is an incredible place to see…and dive. It is the water-bound equivalent to the Acropolis in grandeur and…
Map of the Abyss cave We tie off on a stalactite We enter the cave through the hydrogen sulfide Matt unclipping the reel we pass a lost lobster trap on descent Matt ties off on the bottom On our previous visit to Belize in November 1995, we’d heard from Frank…
Field mixing The Dive Team On November 16th 1995, a team of six Cambrian Foundation divers staying at Caye Caulker, Belize, became the first people to reach the bottom of this enormous sinkhole on scuba. The depth was 408 fsw, 123 msw. The Great Blue Hole of Belize is arguably…