Xiaozhai Tiankeng Heavenly Pit, China
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 17 June 2020 at 10:44:09 UTC
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Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 11 July 2020 at 10:44:11 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 04 June 2021 at 03:15:39 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 06 December 2021 at 03:21:21 UTC
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Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 11 July 2020 at 10:44:11 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 04 June 2021 at 03:15:39 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 06 December 2021 at 03:21:21 UTC
Keyword(s): Land, geology, erosion, UNESCO World Heritage, biodiversity, China
The Xiaozhai Tiankeng or Heavenly Pit is both the deepest and largest sinkhole in the world with 626 m length, 537 m width, 511-662 m depth with vertical walls. Its volume is 120 million m³. The sinkhole is a doubly nested structure—the upper bowl is 320 m deep, the lower bowl is 342 m deep, and the two bowls are 257-268 m across.
Known only by locals, it was only "discovered" by the outside world in 1994. The region was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007. It is home to a thriving ecosystem of some 1285 plant and animal species – including the rare gingko and clouded leopard.