In the Leye Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark, scientists have made an extraordinary discovery – a colossal underground forest hidden 630 feet beneath the surface. Last year, a team of cave explorers stumbled upon this underground mystery while exploring the Geopark in China. Known as “tiankeng” or “heavenly pits” in China, the sinkhole was found in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Southwest China.
Described as “primarily sedimentary with more than 60% of 3000m thick Devonian to Permian carbonate rocks,” the Geopark is renowned for its extensive cave systems and the world’s longest natural bridge. The sinkhole, measuring 306m in length, 150m in width, and 192m in depth, boasts a volume exceeding 5 million cubic meters, officially classifying it as a large sinkhole.
What makes this discovery truly remarkable is the possibility of uncovering previously unidentified plant and animal species within this primitive forest. According to reports from The Washington Post, researchers believe that the densely shaded plants, towering ancient trees reaching nearly 40 meters high, and a well-preserved primitive forest found at the bottom of the sinkhole may harbor new species yet to be documented.
Giant sinkholes are not unusual in this part of China, and the Chinese state-owned news agency, Xinhua, has officially reported that this new find brings the county’s total number of sinkholes to 30. Zhang Yuanhai, a senior engineer at the Institute of Karst Geology of the China Geological Survey, shared that the sinkhole also features three caves within its walls.
To explore this underground wonder, the cave expedition team rappelled down over 100 meters and trekked for several hours to reach the bottom of the pit. The area’s karst landscape, primarily composed of limestone, is responsible for the formation of these sinkholes. While sinkholes are a common occurrence due to the dissolution of bedrock by groundwater, the presence of this enchanting forest at the bottom is highly uncommon. The unique shape of the sinkhole allows just enough light for the forest to thrive, creating a surreal scenery reminiscent of a fantastical movie.
This discovery not only expands our knowledge of the natural wonders hidden beneath the surface but also presents an opportunity for scientific exploration and the potential to uncover new species thriving in this ancient underground forest.
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