# Exploring the Blue Hole 1/3
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# PART 1 
## What is the Blue Hole?
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The Great Blue Hole in Belize is a beautiful natural formation that is full of intrigue. It is noticeable from the sky as you fly by on commercial airliners. The first time I saw it, I was amazed and curious all of a sudden. It literarily looks like a cave right down into the ocean. The Great Blue Hole is located in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Located about 60 miles away from Belize City and it is believed that this hole is the world’s largest sea-hole. 

![kcs2oc8oju.jpg](https://img.esteem.ws/kcs2oc8oju.jpg)


>The Great Blue Hole is basically a giant sinkhole—a vertical cave—in the middle of Light House Reef Atoll. The near perfect circle is almost 1000 feet across, so while you can get a vague idea of its outline from the edge, it’s more easily visible from the air. The hole is about 400 feet deep and this depth contributes to its rich, indigo hue, which contrasts so dramatically with the surrounding turquoise waters.                **-Mara Vorhees, Lonely Planet Writer**

[Source 2]( https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize/travel-tips-and-articles/discovering-the-great-blue-hole/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2763f53)

![anb26nxl7q.jpg](https://img.esteem.ws/anb26nxl7q.jpg)



## Discovery Channel: What is a Blue Hole?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N9cuUp0z_dU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>



The Great Blue Hole shown is one of the top attractions in Belize and is a mecca for those wanting to dive among its giant stalactites and stalagmites, which were formed during the last Ice Age.

## General facts about the Blue Hole:
•	The Blue Hole became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

•	The Great Blue Hole is surrounded by shallow water of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, a nearly perfect circle in the middle of a shallow reef.

•	The Great Blue Hole is protected by the Belize Audubon Society and is a Belize National Monument.

•	The Blue Hole is home to plenty of rare animal species and forms of life and is a big attraction for divers.

[Source 1]( https://belize-travel-blog.chaacreek.com/2013/03/5-amazing-blue-hole-photos/)

This wonder of the world is a testament to the age of our planet. This once dry cave was flooded after the last ice age. Making now a true wonder to explore. In the following parts we will explore inside the caves and the men who have dared to venture into it. 

Follow us here @deepwaters to learn more about this natural wonder. 

### This three part series features :
**1.	What is the Blue Hole?**
**2.	Diving in the Blue Hole.**
**3.	Branson and Costeau Expedition 2018.**


## Upcoming:
Richard Branson and Fabien Costeau dive The Blue Hole. 
<iframe width="917" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g1SwUmo26Vs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

## Sources

[Source 1]( https://belize-travel-blog.chaacreek.com/2013/03/5-amazing-blue-hole-photos/)
[Source 2]( https://www.lonelyplanet.com/belize/travel-tips-and-articles/discovering-the-great-blue-hole/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2763f53)
[Source 3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9cuUp0z_dU)
[Source 4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1SwUmo26Vs)

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