The 13 of the Deepest Holes on Earth

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

You guessed it. Another Diamond Mine. This one is located in Russia and is one of the largest diamond mines opened in the time of the USSR. The mine is no longer in operation. It is more than 1,700 feet deep and has a diameter of around 3,900 feet. The Mirny Diamond Mine holds the title as the second largest hole excavated on Earth and the fourth deepest open pit mine.

5. Bingham Canyon Mine - Utah

Bingham Canyon Mine, located in Utah, is still an active mine and is considered to be one of the world?s most productive. The canyon was originally discovered in 1850 and mining began in 1863, at which point it became apparent how valuable the site actually is. The mine produces millions of ounces s of valuable metals, including copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum each year. The Rio Tinto, the owner, is currently committed to a project that will ensure the mine stays open until at least 2013.

6.The Chuquicamata Copper Mine - Chile

Located in Chile, the Mine, better known as Chuqui is believed to produce to most copper in the world. At around 2,800 feet deep, it’s one of the largest holes ever dug into the Earth.

7.The Berkley Pit - United States

Another massive copper mine. The Berkley pit in Montana is around 1700 feet deep. It was closed in 1982. Since then, the mine has been filled with more than 900 feet worth of groundwater and rainwater.

8.Udachnaya Pipe Mine - Russia

From Montana, we travel back to Russia to take a look at the Udachnaya Pipe Mine. Located in western Yakutia, the massive mine stretches 5,249 by 6,561 feet and it is 2,099 feet deep.

9.The Darzava Gas Crater - Turkmenistan

From man-made mines and holes, we return to those created by mother nature. Known as the door to hell, the Darzava Cater is a sinkhole that rightfully holds the title as one of the most unique holes in the world: its constantly on fire. Four decades ago, Soviet scientists set fire to gasses during a drilling project. Ever since the sinkhole has continued burning. It is around 230 feet wide and 100 feet deep.

10.IceCube Neutrino Observatory - Antarctic

We travel to Antarctica to see a massive hole that took more than seven years to drill. IceCube consists of spherical optical sensors called Digital Optical Modules (DOMs), each with a photomultiplier tube (PMT0) and a single-board data acquisition computer which sends digital data to the counting-house on the surface above the array. DOMs are deployed on strings of 60 modules each at depths between 1,450 to 2,450 meters into holes melted in the ice using a hot water drill.

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

Considered the world’s longest extended-reach well offshore, the Z-44 Chayvo well is located on the Russian island of Sakhalin. On 27 August 2012, Exxon Neftegas Ltd completed the Z-44 Chayvo well and reached a measured total length of 12,376 meters (40,604 ft).

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.