Blue hole in disputed territory in S. China Sea may be world's deepest

A blue hole in disputed territory in the South China Sea may be the world’s deepest, Chinese scientists say.

A blue hole is a circular marine sinkhole distinguished by the color of its waters, which are a deeper blue that the shallower waters surrounding it.

The blue hole—which China calls the Yongle Dragon Hole—is located in the Paracel Islands, which are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

According to Chinese state television, experts determine the hole to be around 300 meters deep. If true, this would make the blue hole 100 meters deeper than Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas, currently identified as the world's deepest blue hole. The scientists also measure the hole's entrance to be 130 meters in diameter.

China claims nearly the entirety of the South China Sea and is expanding its facilities in the disputed islands. — BM, GMA News