Sima Martel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sima Martel |
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|---|---|
| Location | Venezuela, Bolívar (state), Sarisariñama |
| Depth | 248 m (814 ft) |
| Discovery | 1961 |
| Access | By special researcher permit only |
Sima Martel (also called Sima Menor) is a giant sinkhole located on top of the Sarisariñama tepui in Bolívar State, Venezuela. A sinkhole is a large hole in the ground that forms when the surface layer collapses. Sima Martel is special because it is very big and deep. It is also found on the only tepui (a flat-topped mountain) that has a forest on its top. Even more, there is a patch of forest growing at the bottom of the sinkhole itself! This amazing place is named after Édouard-Alfred Martel, who was an expert in exploring caves.
Discovery and Exploration
Sima Martel was first seen in 1961 by a pilot named Harry Gibson. He spotted it along with another large sinkhole nearby called Sima Humboldt.
The first time people explored inside Sima Martel was in 1971. Later, in 1976, more detailed explorations took place. There are a total of four caves found on the Sarisariñama tepui.
See also
In Spanish: Sima Martel para niños
