8 most impressive holes in the surface of the Earth
On June 13, 1955, the famous diamond deposit was discovered in Yakutia - the Mir kimberlite pipe - one of the largest quarries in the world. We have collected seven more of the most impressive holes in the surface of the Earth, both natural and man-made.
(Total 8 photos)
1. Mir kimberlite pipe
The quarry, located in the city of Mirny, Yakutia, has a depth of 525 m and a diameter of 1.2 km. “We lit the pipe of peace, the tobacco is excellent. Avdeenko, Elagina, Khabardin "- a radiogram about the discovery of the Mir diamond pipe, June 13, 1955.
2. Giant blue hole, Belize
The hole is a round karst funnel with a diameter of 305 meters, going to a depth of 120 meters. Located in the center of Lighthouse Reef, an atoll within the Belize Barrier Reef.
3. Diavik Diamond Quarry, Canada
The quarry is located on the islands and has its own infrastructure with an airport capable of receiving passenger Boeings. About 7.5 million carats of diamonds are mined here annually.
4. Darvaza, Turkmenistan
This gas crater is called the "Gate of Hell" by locals and travelers. The diameter of the crater is approximately 60 meters, the depth is about 20 meters.
5. Bingham Canyon, Utah, USA
This copper quarry, 1.2 km deep and 4 km wide, covers an area of 1900 acres and is the largest mine of its kind on the entire planet.
6. Monticello Dam, California, USA
As a result of the construction of the dam, the city of the same name was flooded, which is now completely under the surface of the artificial lake Berryessa. The dam is known for the original design of the spillway in the form of a giant funnel. Its diameter is 22 meters.
7. Big Hole Diamond Mine, South Africa
This huge, now inactive diamond mine, located in the city of Kimberley in South Africa, was opened in 1871. It is believed that this is the largest quarry developed by people without the use of technology. It's hard to believe, but it was dug using only picks and shovels. By the time it was closed, it was 240 meters deep and 463 meters wide. Now it is gradually filling with water. And about 100 million years ago, in its place was the mouth of a volcano.
8. Karst sinkhole in Guatemala
A huge sinkhole of karst origin occurred in Guatemala after Tropical Storm Agatha in 2010. The hole completely swallowed the three-story building. The origin of the sinkhole, about 20 meters wide and as deep as a 30-story building, was explained by the process of washing out the soil and bedrock with water.