Holes

[Master Bates]

Lucky Hole, Russia

 

The Udachnaya hole in Russia’s Sakha Republic translates as “lucky pipe” in English.

 

The 600m-deep, diamond-rich cavity in the north- east of the country is often filled with snow and is freezing cold.

 

Discovered in 1955 by geologist Vladimir Shchukin, it is best steered clear of unless you are sure you can get your hands on some of its gems.

 

 

Sinkhole, Guatemala

 

This enormous sinkhole opened up in a crowded neighbourhood in the Central American state in February last year.

 

Terrified families had to flee for their lives as dozens of homes vanished into the pit. Three residents were killed.

 

The 330ft-deep hole is thought to have been caused by heavy rains and dodgy underground sewerage systems causing the ground to subside.

 

 

Morning Glory Pool, US

 

This massive hot spring, in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US, is so named because the deep blue of its waters is similar to the colour of the morning glory flower. The pool’s hue is due to bacteria in the water.

 

Over time, visitors have thrown in so many coins, bits of rubbish and stones it has affected the spring’s water circulation and caused a reduction in the thermal energy.

 

 

Great Blue Hole, Belize

 

The underwater sinkhole lies just off the coast of the Central American state, near the centre of Lighthouse Reef – a small atoll 45 miles from the mainland and Belize City.

 

The circular chasm measures more than 1,000ft across and is 400ft deep.

 

It was formed as a limestone cave system in the last ice age when the sea was lower. It is now popular with scuba divers.

 

 

Bingham Canyon, Utah

 

This mine near Salt Lake City is the world’s largest man-made excavation – three-quarters of a mile deep, 2½ miles wide and covering 1,900 acres at the top.

 

It has been in use for 102 years and is one of the world’s most productive mines, having yielded 17m tons of copper, 23m ounces of gold, 190m ounces of silver and 850m pounds of molybdenum.

 

Big Hole, South Africa

 

Simply referred to as Big Hole, this enormous mine in South Africa is claimed by many to be the largest hole ever dug by hand.

 

From 1866 to 1914, more than 50,000 miners dug the pit with picks and shovels, yielding 6,000lb of diamonds.

 

Its surface area covers 42 acres and it is 1,519ft wide. It was originally excavated to a depth of 787ft but was then partially filled in with debris, reducing its depth to about 705ft.

 

 

5hit Hole, UK

 

Simply referred to as 5hit Hole

[dubai_phil]

Been trying to find a photo of the newest one, the UK Government Finances hole.