World's most incredible sinkholes - in pictures

  • Turkmenistan's Gates of Hell is a gas crater that has been burning since a Soviet drilling operation went awry in 1971. Getty Images
    Turkmenistan's Gates of Hell is a gas crater that has been burning since a Soviet drilling operation went awry in 1971. Getty Images
  • Aerial view of two giant holes in a road caused by the collapse of a drainage system due to heavy rains in Villa Nueva, 15 km south of Guatemala City. AFP
    Aerial view of two giant holes in a road caused by the collapse of a drainage system due to heavy rains in Villa Nueva, 15 km south of Guatemala City. AFP
  • A huge sinkhole at a junction in Fukuoka, Japan. Workers managed to fill it up in a few days in 2016. Reuters
    A huge sinkhole at a junction in Fukuoka, Japan. Workers managed to fill it up in a few days in 2016. Reuters
  • The Great Blue Hole in Belize was formed from an eroded limestone cave in the last ice age, and later flooded as the sea level rose. Getty Images
    The Great Blue Hole in Belize was formed from an eroded limestone cave in the last ice age, and later flooded as the sea level rose. Getty Images
  • The Well of Barhout in Yemen is known for its pungent odours. AFP
    The Well of Barhout in Yemen is known for its pungent odours. AFP
  • A giant sinkhole caused by tropical storm Agatha appeared in Guatemala City in 2010. Reuters
    A giant sinkhole caused by tropical storm Agatha appeared in Guatemala City in 2010. Reuters
  • Two cars fell in a sinkhole in Harbin, China, in 2018. Reuters
    Two cars fell in a sinkhole in Harbin, China, in 2018. Reuters
  • A cliff diver leaps 26 metres down into the Ik Kil cenote in Yucatan, Mexico. Getty Images
    A cliff diver leaps 26 metres down into the Ik Kil cenote in Yucatan, Mexico. Getty Images
  • Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas is the world's second deepest sinkhole, at 202 metres. Photo: Wikimedia
    Dean's Blue Hole in the Bahamas is the world's second deepest sinkhole, at 202 metres. Photo: Wikimedia
  • The Dead Sea is home to many sinkholes, such as this one that formed in a car park in Israel in 2020.
    The Dead Sea is home to many sinkholes, such as this one that formed in a car park in Israel in 2020.
  • Geology Professor Fetullah Arik takes measurements next to a large sinkhole in Karapinar, Turkey. Getty Images
    Geology Professor Fetullah Arik takes measurements next to a large sinkhole in Karapinar, Turkey. Getty Images
  • One of the rare blue holes located in the waters of Al Dhafra region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. About 12 metres deep, the underwater sinkhole is home to grouper, jackfish and corals. The perimeter of the Al Dhafra Blue Hole is approximately 300 meters long and 200 meters wide, encompassing a total area of around 45,000 square metres. Photo: Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)
    One of the rare blue holes located in the waters of Al Dhafra region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. About 12 metres deep, the underwater sinkhole is home to grouper, jackfish and corals. The perimeter of the Al Dhafra Blue Hole is approximately 300 meters long and 200 meters wide, encompassing a total area of around 45,000 square metres. Photo: Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)
  • A tennis court-sized depression at a copper mine in Copiapo, Chile. Reuters
    A tennis court-sized depression at a copper mine in Copiapo, Chile. Reuters
  • The Sheeheet sinkhole in Oman's Dhofar region near the city of Taqah on July 25, 2025. AFP
    The Sheeheet sinkhole in Oman's Dhofar region near the city of Taqah on July 25, 2025. AFP