How a giant sinkhole over 630 feet deep was discovered containing untouched ancient forests
This is how a giant sinkhole, over 630 feet deep, was discovered and found to be containing untouched ancient forests.
The sinkhole is located in southwestern China and is one of 30 holes known as “tiankeng” which translates to “heavenly pits”.
That’s because in China, instead of people being afraid of sinkholes, they consider them to be “heavenly”.
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It’s a far cry from other parts of the world, where sinkholes gain eerie nicknames such as “Doorway to Hell”.
This most recent discovery in China was made in August last year where researchers found it to be containing pristine ancient forests and are likely to have species of small animals that have been previously unknown.
The hole itself is around 1,000 feet in length, 500 feet in width and over 630 feet in depth.
Because of how deep these sinkholes are, little light reaches the bottom but despite this, they are able to house a lot of greenery.
In fact, the recent sinkhole discovered is home to an underground forest completely unexplored by humans.
There are 130 feet tall trees and plants that date back to the time of the dinosaurs.
A new study has revealed just how these plants are able to survive as researches found nettles, ferns and other species living off stocks of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
The study’s authors wrote: “Plants can adapt to adverse environments by adjusting their nutrient content.
“Due to the towering cliffs and steep terrain of the tiankeng, it has been less disturbed by human activities.”
In a piece for The UNESCO Courier, researcher Tang Jianmin said: “Karst tiankeng is a relatively closed environment with high humidity, low temperature and a high concentration of negative oxygen ions.
“Its bottom is connected with underground water flow, nurturing a lush green oasis all year round.
“Primitive ecosystems with unique animal, plant and microbial resources are formed there.”
Only 300 tiankeng have been found around the world and two thirds have been uncovered in China alone.
Other places where these sinkholes have been discovered include Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Madagascar, Slovenia, Croatia, Italy and Spain.
Explaining the importance of the holes, Jianmin continued, detailing how they are a “refuge for endangered plants and primitive forest ecosystems.
“There is also a good chance that previously unknown species will be discovered in these environments.”
They offer ancient forests a safe haven to continue to thrive.