Scientists claim Belize’s Great Blue Hole hides ‘concerning secret’

Scientists have uncovered a disturbing secret at the bottom of the Great Blue Hole, located off the coast of Belize.

Following an expedition in 2022 led by a team from the University of Frankfurt, researchers retrieved a core sample of sediments from 30 meters deep. These sediments provide valuable insights into the Earth's climate history.

Dr. Dominik Schmitt, a researcher in the Biosedimentology Research Group and lead author of the study, explained:"Due to the unique environmental conditions — including oxygen-free bottom waters and several stratified water layers — fine marine sediments were able to settle largely undisturbed in the Great Blue Hole."

By analyzing the sediment layers, scientists were able to track changes in the storm cycle over thousands of years.

They found that the number of tropical storms has surged in recent times, largely due to rising sea surface temperatures.

Over the past six millennia, between 4 and 16 tropical storms and hurricanes have passed over the Great Blue Hole every 100 years.