Fossil Preservation in Blue Holes
Fossil preservation is highly successful in blue holes because of the water conditions there. Scientists are able to identify the skeletons of long-extinct creatures as well as human skeletons because of the preservation of fossils for thousands of years caused by inadequate oxygen and light. The macro and microfossils (twigs, leaves, pollen, spores, etc.) abundant in the sediments around the fossils enhance their preservation even more.
Identified Fossils:
- Undescribed species of tortoise
- Caracara (Caracara creightoni)
- Crocodiles from Cuba (Crocodylus gundlachii)
- Hawk of Cooper (Accipiter cooperii)
- 25 different species of birds
- Three species of snakes
- Four species of bats
- Lucayan Natives of old
Blue holes also contain well-preserved plant fossils, and by analyzing sediment cores, it is possible to identify the types of trees and plants that were present in the region thousands of years ago. For example, whereas tropical pines and dry evergreens now predominate in the Bahamas, sediment cores from the Abacos blue hole have revealed intact woody species like Coccoloba, Exothea, and Bursera.
Blue Hole
Blue Hole: A blue hole is an underwater, large marine sinkhole or cavern. They can cover areas bigger than cities and are hundreds of meters long. Carbonate bedrock, such as coral reefs or limestone, makes up blue holes. They may contain tidally-influenced fresh, marine, or mixed water. By releasing nutrients, some of the holes help the biodiversity in their natural surroundings. Off the coast of Mexico, a blue hole measuring 900 feet deep was found in 2021. In February 2023, a study on the blue hole was first published in the Frontiers in Marine Science publication.
In this article, we will read about Blue Hole, interesting facts about them, the formation of blue hole, their location, biodiversity, and the great blue hole of Belize.
Table of Content
- What is Blue Hole?
- Facts about Blue Hole
- Formation of Blue Hole
- Blue Hole Location
- Blue Hole Biodiversity
- Sedimentation in Blue Holes
- Fossil Preservation in Blue Holes
- Great Blue Hole – Belize