|
For
more information on Small Hope Bay Lodge, Exuma Scuba, Club Peace &
Plenty, and Androsia Batik Factory visit the following
Web Sites: http://www/smallhope.com http://www.peaceandplenty.com http://www.androsia.com Explanation of ocean and inland blue holes courtesy of http://www.smallhope.com/CTSD/OceanBlueHoles.html, http://www.smallhope.com/CTSD/InlandBlueHoles.html All the main islands of the Bahamas have blue holes, but those of Andros are the best known. Andros has 178 on land with at least fifty in the sea. Ocean Blue Holes Blue holes are entrances to the intricate cave systems that run underneath the island and sea floor. Because the ocean blue holes connect to those inland and even to those blue holes on the west side of the island, they are affected by the tides. The ocean blue holes "blow" and "suck," so you can only dive them at certain times. The "blow" usually pumps out cold subterranean water that is usually milky with hydrogen sulfide and algae. During the "suck," the water becomes clear as gin as it sucks in the surrounding seawater. These conditions create very different ways for us to enjoy the blue holes while diving. From the incredible geological formations to the unique marine life that live in the caves, the ocean blue holes offer some of the best diving experiences in the world. Inland Blue Holes Andros' inland blue holes are some of the most unique and mysterious aquatic caves in the world. New sites are still being found as cave exploring has barely begun. Inland blue holes have the same origin as ocean blue holes, however, they differ in many ways. Inland blue holes do not "blow" and "suck" as ocean blue holes do and the tide is not a factor. The level of water will rise and fall with the tide, but there are no currents. A unique feature of the inland blue hole is the layer of fresh water that literally sits on top of the salt water below. Debris from surrounding trees fall into the blue hole, decay, and builds up tannic acid and hydrogen sulfide. This reduces the surface visibility to almost zero. As you descend through this layer of fresh/brackish water you will pass through the mixing zone or halocline into crystal clear salt water. Stalactites and beautiful flowstone formations are in these caves giving evidence that they were once dry or above sea level. © 2001, Hillary L. Bloom |