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51-738: (Redirected from Bluehole ) A blue hole is a submarine cave or sinkhole. It may also refer to: Water-filled holes [ edit ] In the Bahamas [ edit ] Blue Holes National Park , Andros, which claims 22 blue holes Dean's Blue Hole , Long Island Far Side Blue Hole , also known as Magical Blue Hole, Abaco Islands Lost Reel Blue Hole , Abaco Islands Nancy’s Blue Hole , near Coopers Town , Abaco Watling's Blue Hole on San Salvador Island In Belize [ edit ] Great Blue Hole on Lighthouse Reef Blue Hole National Park , inland near Belmopan, Cayo District In

102-528: A blue hole nicknamed the " Amberjack Hole " located 30 miles off the coast of Sarasota, Florida . Individuals from Mote Marine Laboratory , Florida Atlantic University, Harbor Branch , Georgia Institute of Technology , the United States Geological Survey , and the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration participated in the expedition. The expedition gathered information about life around and within

153-483: A city, Nova Jerusalem, and appointed municipal officers. In early June, with provisions running low, they left the bay to explore the neighbouring coastline. Queirós' lead ship became separated, and, whether through adverse weather or mutiny, was unable to make anchor in the bay. The almirante (second-in-command, and captain of the second ship), Luis Váez de Torres , searched the coast for signs of shipwreck but found none. He remained until late June, then sailed to

204-431: A large part in their lives, regardless of their religion. The chief system continues strongly in most areas. The people of Santo face some health problems, especially malaria and tuberculosis . Although there is a hospital, most local people consult either their own witch doctor or medical clinics set up by western missionaries. Kava is the popular drug of the island, although alcohol is becoming more prevalent. With

255-631: A marine water source, however, if the isotopes are similar to those found in meteoric lenses, then the source is meteoric. Exploring blue holes requires a level of competence and equipment appropriate to the depth and overhead penetration. In 2009 a team of scientists set out to study seven of these blue holes in the Bahamas. Through over 150 dives, the scientists, led by Keith Tinker, investigated bacteria able to live in anoxic environments. This allowed them to make connections to fields such as astrobiology where organisms thrive without oxygen or sunlight. In 2018, another group of scientists set out to explore

306-457: A subgroup of the North Vanuatu languages . Espiritu Santo, with many wrecks and reefs to be explored, is a very popular tourist destination for divers. Champagne Beach draws tourists with its white sand and clear waters. The "Western Side" of the island contains many caves which can be explored, and cruise ships often stop in at Luganville . The local people make their living by supporting

357-467: Is about five km east of the center of Luganville . Numerous rivers run to the coastline from the mountains of the island. The Sarakata River is the largest one, and it runs through Luganville . Many people on Espiritu Santo still rely on subsistence farming for their food. The villages on the island are mostly self-sufficient with their own vegetable gardens, chickens, and pigs. Taros and yams are commonly grown in these gardens, and these are mainstays of

408-422: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Blue hole Blue holes are distinguished from cenotes in that the latter are inland voids usually containing fresh groundwater rather than seawater . Blue holes are roughly circular, steep-walled depressions, and so named for the dramatic contrast between the dark blue, deep waters of their depths and

459-630: Is home to all of Vanuatu's endemic birds , including the Santo mountain starling , a species restricted entirely to Espiritu Santo. Two protected areas have been established to safeguard the island's biodiversity; the Loru Conservation Area on the east coast and the Vatthe Conservation area near Big Bay in the north. The Loru Rainforest Protected Area is situated in the lowland rainforests of Espiritu Santo. Established in 1993 by Chief Caleb Ser,

510-424: Is located 100 kilometers from the coast of Belize. The Great Blue Hole is a massive 300 meters wide and 125 meters deep. Blue holes formed during past ice ages , when the sea level was 100–120 metres (330–390 ft) lower than at present. During these times, the formations were exposed to the same erosion from rain and chemical weathering that is common to all limestone -rich terrains. The process ended once

561-498: Is the 1,879 metre (6,165 foot) Mount Tabwemasana in west-central Espiritu Santo. A Spanish expedition of three ships, led by Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de Queirós , landed in 1606 at Big Bay on the north side of the island. Queirós named the land La Austrialia [ sic ] del Espíritu Santo in acknowledgment of the Spanish king's descent from the royal House of Austria , and believing he had arrived in

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612-583: Is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu , with an area of 3,955.5 km (1,527.2 sq mi) and a population of around 40,000 according to the 2009 census. The island belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia . It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu. The town of Luganville , on Espiritu Santo's southeast coast, is Vanuatu's second-largest settlement and

663-513: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor , the island was used by American naval and air forces as a large military supply and support base, naval harbor, and airfield. Luganville Airfield , also called Bomber Field #3, was a large airfield built by the Seabees of the 40th Naval Construction Battalion in 1943. Also built on the island was Bomber Field No.2 which became Santo-Pekoa International Airport after

714-701: The Seventh-day Adventist Church , and others. However, in many villages, particularly in Big Bay and South Santo, the people are " heathen ", a term that in Vanuatu has no pejorative connotation — it simply denotes someone who has not embraced Christianity. Customary beliefs of a more modern sort are found among followers of the Nagriamel movement based in Fanafo . For almost all of Espiritu Santo's people, custom plays

765-654: The South China Sea at 300.89 metres (987 ft) deep, while the third deepest blue hole in the world is Dean's Blue Hole at 202 metres (663 ft) , located in a bay west of Clarence Town on Long Island , Bahamas . Other blue holes are about half that depth at around 100–120 metres (330–390 ft). The diameter of the top entrance ranges typically from 25–35 metres (82–115 ft) (Dean's Blue Hole) to 300 metres (980 ft) ( Great Blue Hole in Belize). The overall largest blue hole (taking into account depth and width)

816-533: The Americans contributed later to the island's tourism in scuba diving , as the Americans dumped most of their used military and naval equipment, and their refuse, at what is now known as "Million Dollar Point". In highly fictionalized form, this was the locale of James Michener 's Tales of the South Pacific , and of the following Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific . Between May and August 1980

867-471: The Bahamas showed that with depth, more sapropel, detrital and freshwater peat, and lacustrine marls were found. At about 150  cm of sediment core, microfossils of wood, Charophytes and Hydrobiidae were found. The chemistry of blue holes vary greatly depending on how they were formed. All blue holes have a layer of freshwater at the surface and more saline water as the depth increases. Many have pycnoclines and haloclines that show these zones, similar to

918-626: The Espiritu Santo was not visited again by Europeans until 160 years later, by Louis de Bougainville in 1768 and James Cook in 1774. During the time of the British–French Condominium , Hog Harbour , on the northeast coast, was the site of the British district administration, while Segond, near Luganville, was the French district administration. During World War II , particularly after

969-558: The Great Blue Hole of Belize using two submarines of the latest technology. One of the major scientific contributions to result from this expedition was the first 3-dimensional map of its interior. The researchers captured features such as stalactites , the hydrogen sulfide layer, and other details that cannot usually be seen by the naked human eye. As part of a three-year study, a group of scientists set out in May and September 2019 to explore

1020-611: The Great Southern Continent, Terra Australis . They entered the bay on the 1st and 2 May: the latter being the day of Saints Philip and James, Queirós named it Bahía de San Felipe y Santiago . The local chief tried to chase the Spanish explorers back to their ships, which led to an exchange of arrows and musket-fire, in which the chief was killed. The ships remained for a month at their anchorage " Puerto de la Vera Cruz ", with armed sailors making incursions inland for provisions. Queirós announced his intention to found

1071-460: The Paracel Islands, China Blue Holes (Saudi Arabia) Other [ edit ] Bluehole, Inc. (formerly Bluehole Studio, Inc.), the developer of TERA , Devilian and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds . Bluehole Interactive, the former name of En Masse Entertainment . Bluehole, Kentucky , a postoffice Blue Hole , a manga series by Yukinobu Hoshino Topics referred to by

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1122-696: The U.S. [ edit ] Blue Hole (Big Pine Key) , an abandoned rock quarry in the Florida Keys Blue Hole (Guam) , outside the entrance to Apra Harbor Blue Hole (Hawaii) , also known as Wailua Headwaters, the start of the North Folk of the Wailua River at Mount Waialeale on Kauai, Hawaii Blue Hole (New Jersey) Blue Hole (New Mexico) , a cenóte and popular altitude scuba diving site Blue Hole (Castalia) , in Castalia, Ohio Blue Hole,

1173-787: The United States [ edit ] In Arkansas [ edit ] Blue Hole (Desha County, Arkansas) , four lakes named Blue Hole in List of lakes in Desha County, Arkansas Blue Hole (Lafayette County, Arkansas) , in List of lakes in Lafayette County, Arkansas Blue Hole (Lee County, Arkansas) in List of lakes in Lee County, Arkansas Blue Hole (Monroe County, Arkansas) in List of lakes in Monroe County, Arkansas Elsewhere in

1224-436: The beauty and allure of blue holes, they are some of the most dangerous waters to dive. Nitrogen narcosis begins to set in at depths below 20 m (70 ft) and causes disorientation and changes in consciousness. Divers experiencing nitrogen narcosis may become too confused to swim back into shallower waters, and some never make it back to the surface. Water clarity and light both decrease significantly with depth, adding to

1275-1043: The case of the Sawmill Sink in the Bahamas. Blue holes are formed through Karst processes and require a specific type of topography . Rocks such as limestone, gypsum and marble are soluble and dissolution creates passages and cave systems underground. This process in combination with doline formation permits blue holes to be formed. Doline formations were once closed depressions formed by solution of superficial rock or subsidence collapse into an underground void. Most blue holes are formed through these processes although some do not show any sign of passages or cave systems as would be normally expected from karst and doline processes. This suggests that some blue holes may be caused by other processes such as vertical reef development. Some blue holes do not experience karst or doline processes during their formation. They form through bedrock dissolution and collapse, usually influenced by tidal forcing , carbonate dissolution, sea level fluctuations, or

1326-413: The chemistry and biology of microbial life. Blue holes have a great diversity of microbes. They create biogeochemical pathways creating a unique and diverse environment within the blue holes. In the surface layer, oxygen, DOC , POC and chlorophyll need to be in low levels in order for cyanobacteria to respire. As depth increases, many branches and sub branches of microbes create specific niches based on

1377-461: The chemistry and nutrient availability of that depth. Microorganisms including foraminifera , meiobenthic, and nematodes also follow this pattern of organization, and inhabit the areas of the water column where the nutrients they rely on are most available. Nematodes, which are predominantly non-selective detrivores , are tolerable to the anoxic conditions at the base of blue holes, allowing them to survive where other species cannot. They thrive at

1428-505: The disorientation divers experience. Divers must also remain aware of the animals they may encounter in these holes. Shark species, including bull sharks, reef sharks, and hammerhead sharks, have been seen making use of blue holes, and occasionally attack humans. Cave dive sites: Espiritu Santo Espiritu Santo ( UK : / ɛ ˌ s p ɪ r ɪ t uː ˈ s æ n t oʊ / , US : /- ˈ s ɑː n t uː , - ˈ s ɑː n t oʊ / ; French: [ɛspiʁity sɑ̃to] )

1479-566: The hole, seawater composition, and the hole's bottom sediments. A follow-up expedition is planned in August 2020 to a deeper blue hole named the " Green Banana " off the coast of Florida. In contrast to the various successful expeditions completed, many explorers have perished in their attempts to reach the bottom of a blue hole. The Red Sea Blue Hole located in Egypt is nicknamed the "Divers' Cemetery" because at least 40 divers have died there. Despite

1530-502: The island was the site of a rebellion during the transfer of power over the colonial New Hebrides from the condominium to the independent Vanuatu. Jimmy Stevens ' Nagriamel movement, in alliance with private French interests and backed by the Phoenix Foundation and American libertarians hoping to establish a tax-free haven, declared the island of Espiritu Santo to be independent of the new government. The " Republic of Vemerana "

1581-653: The largest of the San Antonio Springs , Texas Elsewhere [ edit ] Blue Hole (Red Sea) in Egypt Blue Hole, associated with the Inland Sea, Gozo on Malta, Italy Blue Holes (Palau) , north of Blue Corner , Palau Nanda Blue Hole , also known as Jackie's Blue Hole, on Espiritu Santo , Vanuatu Virgin Blue Hole , south of Blue Corner , Palau Yongle Blue Hole, also known as Dragon Hole , in

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1632-412: The lighter blue of the shallows around them. Their water circulation is poor, and they are commonly anoxic below a certain depth; this environment is unfavorable for most sea life, but nonetheless can support large numbers of bacteria . The deep blue color is caused by the high transparency of water and bright white carbonate sand . Blue light is the most enduring part of the spectrum; other parts of

1683-535: The local diet. Espiritu Santo is home to a number of cattle farms (including the famous Belmol Cattle Project, originally established by French settlers), and the island exports much of its beef to Japan, Australia, and other Pacific countries. Besides beef, tinned fish, and rice bought in town, Espiritu Santo has many foods that locals take for granted, and that tourists enjoy as delicacies. Among these are sweet pineapples, mangoes, island cabbage, flying foxes, and coconut crab , as well as local nuts such as natapoa and

1734-405: The lowest depths of blue holes due to the abundance of organic matter that settles there. Similarly, foraminifera inhabit the lower depths, and even increase in diversity with depth. Meiobenthic organisms cannot survive the high sulfide found at depth, and remain in the surface layers of blue holes. Generally, the diversity of all forms of life is 2-3x greater in blue holes than other diverse areas of

1785-508: The ocean around it. Many blue holes are great sediment traps and can preserve climate and fossil records dating back to the last glacial maximum . The reason blue holes are able to preserve such records is due to the anoxic bottom water most blue holes contain. Stable Hydrogen and Oxygen isotopes can be used to help identify where the water within blue holes comes from. Scientists have discovered that many have meteoric or marine sources of saline water within them. Being able to identify where

1836-600: The ocean, including coastal and abyssal environments. When the diversity of microorganisms is larger, a proportional increase in larger organisms and their diversity is to be expected. Sediment accumulation is unique in blue holes. Sedimentation occurs at the center of holes rather than the edges. Many different kinds of sediment help preserve fossils and climate records. The main sediments that build up and create layers in blue holes are sapropel , detrital peat , and lacustrine marls . Within these layers, microfossils can be found. Sediment cores taken from three blue holes in

1887-690: The presence of eogenetic carbonates . Blue holes are typically found on shallow carbonate platforms , exemplified by the Bahama Banks , as well as on and around the Yucatán Peninsula , such as at the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize . Many deep spring basins formed by karst processes and located inland also are called blue holes; for example, Blue Hole in Castalia , Ohio . Many different fossils have been discovered that indicate

1938-413: The provincial capital. Roads run north and west from Luganville, but most of the island is far from the limited road network. Around Espiritu Santo lie a number of small islands and islets; among them are: Dany Island , Araki , Elephant Island , Sakao , Lataroa , Lataro , Thion , Malohu, Malwepe , Malvapevu , Malparavu , Maltinerava , Oyster Island, Tangoa , and Bokissa . Vanuatu's highest peak

1989-506: The rising number of adults using alcohol, there is a rising crime rate, especially involving violence toward women, and tribal warfare. In September 1998, Espiritu Santo hosted the Melanesia Cup soccer tournament. Luganville is the only true town on the island; the rest of the island is dotted with small villages. From Luganville , three "main roads" emerge. Main Street leaves the town to

2040-432: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Blue hole . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue_hole_(disambiguation)&oldid=1174634876 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description

2091-452: The sea level rose at the end of the ice age. Most blue holes contain both freshwater and saltwater. The halocline is the boundary surface between the freshwater and the saltwater in these blue holes where a corrosive reaction takes place that eats away at the rock. Over time this can create side passages, or horizontal "arms", that extend from the vertical cave. These side passages can be quite long; e.g., over 600 metres (2,000 ft) in

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2142-460: The soon-to-be government had hoped. The troops were recalled shortly before independence. Following independence on 31 July 1980, Vanuatu, now governed by the Vanuaku Party with Father Walter Lini as Prime Minister, requested assistance from Papua New Guinea , whose army suppressed the rebellion, keeping Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. Over 30 different local languages are spoken on Espiritu Santo ,

2193-556: The spectrum—red, yellow, and finally green—are absorbed during their path through water, but blue light manages to reach the white sand and return upon reflection. The deepest blue hole in the world is the Taam Ja' Blue Hole in Chetumal Bay , which was found to have a depth of more than 420 metres (1,380 ft) in 2024. The second deepest is the Dragon Hole , or Longdong, in

2244-598: The sweet fleshy-fruit called naos in Bislama, or great hog plum in English (a type of Spondias dulcis ). There is a market in Luganville where local food such as yams, sweet potatoes, manioc, taro, cabbage, and other freshly grown island staples are sold. Some local handicrafts are also sold there. Several small supermarkets such as LCM, Unity Shell, and Au bon Marche sell groceries and many packaged goods. The island of Espiritu Santo

2295-645: The tourist trade, by cash-crop farming, mostly copra , but also some cocoa beans and kava , as well as peanuts , or by subsistence farming and fishing. Most of the people are Christians. The largest church groups on the island are the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu , the Roman Catholic Church , and the Church of Melanesia ( Anglican ). Also active are the Apostolic Church , the Church of Christ ,

2346-486: The type of life forms that existed in blue holes. Other life forms such as marine life and marine fossils have also been noticed; crocodile and tortoise fossils, for instance, have been found in blue holes. Important types of bacterial colonies have also been found in blue holes. Due to the conditions of a blue hole, they are forced to live off sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide , which are toxic to most organisms. These special bacteria have produced many insights into

2397-436: The war. Palikulo Bay Airfield , also called Bomber Field #1, became part of the main road after the war. Luganville Seaplane Base served the seaplane and Turtle Bay Airfield also called Fighter Field #1 served the fighter planes. The SS President Coolidge was a converted luxury liner that hit a sea mine during the war and was sunk. The shipwreck off Espiritu Santo later became a popular diving spot. The presence of

2448-405: The water comes from in these columns allows scientists to see how tidally influenced they are. Most blue holes have a range in salinity from fresh water to hypersaline . Conduits and passageways allow for brackish water to enter as well. When the same isotopes of major ions are found in blue holes and in the surrounding ocean, it can be concluded that these blue holes are tidally influenced and have

2499-447: The west and winds along the south coast of the island for about 40 km ending at the village of Tasiriki on the southwest coast. Canal Road runs along the southern and eastern coasts of the island, north through Hog Harbor and Golden Beach, ending at Port Olry . Big Bay Highway splits off from Canal Road near Turtle Bay on the east coast, runs generally west to the mountains, and then it leads north to Big Bay. The international airport

2550-423: The west coast with the intention of circumnavigating what he considered to be an island, not a continent. The wind and current were against this aim, so he left the island sailing west, eventually encountering the previously unexplored southern coast of New Guinea . Torres then discovered the strait that bears his name between northern Australia and southern New Guinea. After the departure of Queirós and Torres,

2601-687: Was proclaimed on May 28. France recognized the independence on June 3. On June 5, the tribal chiefs of Santo named the French Ambassador Philippe Allonneau the "King of Vemerana", and Jimmy Stevens became the Prime Minister. Luganville was renamed Allonneaupolis. Next, negotiations with Port-Vila failed, and from July 27 to August 18, British Royal Marines and a unit of the French Garde Mobile were deployed to Vanuatu's capital island, but they did not enter Espiritu Santo as

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