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- The sinkhole was found by scientists in Leye Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark
- It is said to be 306 meters long, 150 meters wide and 192 meters deep
- Researchers say it could be home to previously unknown animal species
A vast jungle world has been discovered 200 meters underground, in a sinkhole in China.
The underground mystery was discovered in May last year in a Chinese ‘Geopark’ by a cave exploration team of scientists.
The phenomenon is also known in China as ‘tiankeng’ or ‘heavenly pits’.
Leye Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark, where the sinkhole was found, is located in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southwest China.
The Geopark is described on the UNESCO website as ‘mainly sedimentary with over 60% of 3000m thick Devonian to Permian carbonate rocks’.
It is known as ‘the territory of caves and of the world’s longest natural bridge’.
The Geopark is described on the UNESCO website as ‘mainly sedimentary with more than 60% of 3000 m thick Devonian to Permian carbonate rocks’
Researchers have said the hole could be home to previously unknown plant and animal species, The Washington Post reports.
The underground mystery was discovered in May last year in a Chinese ‘Geopark’ by a cave exploration team of scientists
Researchers have said the primitive forest could be home to previously unidentified plant and animal species, reports The Washington Post.
Giant sinkholes are not uncommon for areas like this in China.
The State Press Agency of the Chinese Government, Xinhuahas released an official report saying the new discovery brings the number of sinkholes in the province to 30.
Zhang Yuanhai, a senior engineer at the Institute of Karst Geology of the China Geological Survey, also told Xinhua that the site had “a well-preserved primitive forest at the bottom” and three caves in the walls.
They added that the sinkhole is 306 meters long, 150 meters wide and 192 meters deep, with a volume of more than 5 million cubic meters, meaning it can be officially categorized as a large sinkhole.
Chen Lixin, leader of the Guangxi 702 cave expedition team, said the dense shade plants reach to the shoulder and the ancient trees growing at the bottom are nearly 40 meters high.
The Chinese government’s state news agency Xinhua has released an official report saying the new discovery brings the number of sinkholes in the province to 30.
The cave expedition was completed by a team who rappelled down more than 100 meters and “pulled several hours to reach the bottom of the pit”
The sinkholes are created by the dissolution of rock by groundwater and are common in the area
The cave expedition was completed by a team who rappelled down more than 100 meters and “pulled several hours to reach the bottom of the pit.”
The landscape in the Geopark is a karstic area, which means that it consists of limestone.
The sinkholes are usually created by the dissolution of rock by groundwater and are common in the area.
However, the unique forest at the bottom is unusual – it looks like something out of a fantasy movie.
The shape of the hole allowed the forest to grow, allowing enough light to enter while still being deep.