Looking at photos like these scares and fascinates me in equal doses.
The sheer scale of these holes reminds you of just how tiny you are.
Mirny Diamond Mine, Siberia. I'm pretty sure most people have seen
this one. It's an absolute beast and holds the title of largest open
diamond mine in the world, at 525 metres deep with a top diameter of
1200 metres there's even a no-fly zone above the hole due to a few
helicopters being sucked in.
1. Great Blue Hole - Belize
The Great Blue Hole in Belize is located in the
center of Lighthouse Reef. The hole itself is a limestone sinkhole.
It measures 300 feet across and is well over 400 feet deep. The depth
of the water in the hole is why the ?blue hole? appears such a dark
color when seen from above. The Great Blue Hole is a very popular
tourist attraction for divers who want to explore the stalactites and
limestone structures that begin to form around the insides of the
hole at approximately 110 feet deep. Don?t forget ? this 400 foot
hole used to be above the surface of the ocean!
2. Diavik Mine - Canada
The Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada is one of the
most amazing diamond mines in the world. It is believed that within
the mind are over 90 million carats worth of rough diamonds. They?re
contained within three main kimberlite pipes, otherwise known as ore
deposits. While the pipes at this mine are considered small, the
quality of the diamonds contained within the pipes is above average.
The mine is so large, in fact, the owners have built their own
private airport at the site. Mining began at the site in 2003 and is
expected to continue for at least 15-20 years, if not longer.
3. Kimberley Big Hole - South Africa
Kimberly Big Hole, located in South Africa, was a
diamond mine over 1,097 meters deep. The mine was closed in 1914 but
was later reopened as a tourist attraction. The site is now a major
tourist attraction, featuring a bar, small hotel, shops, and eateries
– all in the same area that these things would have been located
while the mine was active. Workers will be dressed in period garb and
visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a simulation
complete with dynamite blasts and dusty explosions ? all designed to
give visitors a feel for what it was like living in mine town.
4.Mirny Diamond Mine - Russia
5. Bingham Canyon Mine - Utah
6.The Chuquicamata Copper Mine - Chile
7.The Berkley Pit - United States
8.Udachnaya Pipe Mine - Russia
9.The Darzava Gas Crater - Turkmenistan
10.IceCube Neutrino Observatory - Antarctic
11. Kola Superdeep Borehole - Russia
With only around 9 inches in diameter, the Kola Superdeep Borehole
has a mind-bending depth of 39,600 feet. The massive super hole
stretches a staggering 7.5 miles into the Earth and is considered the
second longest borehole ever created. The project
began in 1970 and was abandoned in 2008 after they reached a depth
where drilling was impossible to continue. The Kola Superdeep
Borehole is deeper than the deepest part of the ocean. In terms of
depth below the surface, the Kola Superdeep Borehole SG-3 retains the
world record at 12,262 meters (40,230 ft) in 1989 and is still the
deepest
artificial point on Earth.12. Z-44 Chayvo well - Russian
13. Glory Hole - Monticello Dam - California
The Glory Hole at Monticello Dam is a man made
hole designed to help drain water from the reservoir. The sheer size
of the hole allows it to drain over 14,440 cubic feet of water every
second ? yes, that?s every second! Water that is drained through the
hole is shot out at the bottom of the dam. Rumors claim that a woman
jumped down the hole thinking she would come out the other end but
never lived to tell the tale ? I?ve seen no proof, so take that story
or leave it.