Ancient world discovered in huge sinkhole more than 600ft below the surface
Chinese scientists were rendered speechless last year when they uncovered a forest world 630ft below the surface.
In May 2022, scientists in Leye Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Southwestern China, were thrilled as they discovered the phenomena known as 'tiankeng', which translates as 'Heavenly Pits'.
Excitingly, the impromptu discovery could result in substantial breakthroughs, with many scientists hoping it might uncover species of animals we never previously knew existed.
As per the UNESCO website, the Geopark is described as a 'primarily sedimentary with more than 60% of 3000m thick Devonian to Permian carbonate rocks'.
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The sinkhole could be home to lots of animals (Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)It's renowned for being 'The territory of caves and of the world’s longest natural bridge'.
Giant sinkholes have become a regular find in China, with the government's state-owned news agency, Xinhua, issuing a report which claimed that it discovered a grand total of 30.
However, this is the most exciting, with senior engineer at the Institute of Karst Geology of the China Geological Survey, Zhang Yuanhai, claiming that the site had a 'well-preserved primitive forest at the bottom' and three caves in its walls'.
In addition, they've confirmed that the sinkhole measures 306m in length, 150m in width and 192m in depth, with a volume exceeding 5million cubic metres. This means that it comes under the category of a large sinkhole.
The leader of the Guangxi 702 cave expedition team, Chen Lixen, spellbound by the ancient trees, which stand at 40metres high, is mesmerised by the dense shade plants as tall as his shoulder.
Scientists can't wait to see what they can find in the forest (Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)With discovery and research at the forefront of their minds, the cave expedition team strapped themselves in and abseiled 100metres down, before trekking several hours through plants and trees to reach their destination at the bottom of the pit.
The Geopark's landscape is made up of limestone, classing it as a Karst area of land.
The sinkhole could be home to lots of animals (Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)Scientifically, when the dissolution of bedrock by groundwater occurs, it creates sinkholes.
This is not uncommon in China, but the almost magical landscape at the bottom of this pit is something almost unworldly, as if you'd find it on the Forest Moon of Endor in Star Wars or the alien jungle in Predator.
Due to the small amount of light that managed to creep in, the forest flourished in the shape of a hole. And now, a select group of lucky scientists have the privilege of exploring it for themselves and who knows what they will find?
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