Green Banana Hole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green Banana Hole |
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|---|---|
| Location | Sarasota, Florida |
| Depth | 130 m (427 ft) |
| Elevation | -47 m (154 ft) |
| Features | One of the deepest blue holes known |
| Cave survey | 2020-21 |
The Green Banana Hole is a super deep underwater cave, also known as a blue hole. It's located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) off the coast of Sarasota, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico. Imagine a giant, deep hole in the ocean floor! This amazing place is one of the deepest blue holes ever found.
About the Green Banana Hole
The top edge of the Green Banana Hole is about 47 meters (154 feet) below the ocean's surface. From there, the hole goes down even further, reaching a depth of about 130 meters (427 feet). That's like stacking almost 30 school buses on top of each other!
Scientists believe that blue holes in this area formed a long time ago, between 8,000 and 12,000 years ago. Back then, the sea level was much lower. The land that is now underwater was dry, and the Florida coastline stretched about 100 kilometers (60 miles) farther into the ocean. These holes were once sinkholes on land, like big holes that open up in the ground. When the sea levels rose, they became filled with water.
The Green Banana Hole has a unique shape, like an hourglass. This means it gets narrower in the middle before opening up again. This shape makes it extra challenging for divers and explorers to explore its deepest parts.
How the Green Banana Hole Got its Name
The name Green Banana is quite interesting! It's said to have come from a story told by the captain of a fishing boat. While he was fishing near the hole, he saw a green banana peel floating in the water. That's how this deep underwater cave got its unusual name.
Exploring the Depths
The Green Banana Hole is a place of great scientific interest. In August 2020, a diver named Marty Watson and a team of scientists from Florida Atlantic University explored the hole. They wanted to learn more about its structure and what lives inside.
In May 2021, more scientists joined the effort. Teams from organizations like NOAA and Mote Marine Laboratory planned a special trip to the site. They used cool, specially designed tools to explore the hole.
One of these tools is called a benthic lander. It's a triangular-shaped device that is carefully lowered into the hole. This lander carries many instruments that help researchers gather important information. They collect data about the hole's shape, the chemistry of the seawater, and the different kinds of marine life that call the hole home.
The scientists also hope to find out if the many blue holes off the coast of Florida are connected to the Floridan aquifer. The Floridan aquifer is a huge underground water system that provides drinking water for many people. This exploration is part of a bigger, three-year study. It builds on what scientists learned from exploring another blue hole called Amberjack Hole.
