SOUTH CHINA SEA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The blue hole on Huangyan Dao island in the South China Sea was viewed from the air.
The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment published a report on the blue hole on June 25.
The report stated that this rare formation consisting of coral reefs is the first of its kind detected in China.
According to the report, the maximum diameter of the blue hole, which has a surface area of approximately 1,491.7 square meters, was measured as 56.3 meters. It was stated that the formation, which is 16.6 meters deep, has a funnel-shaped internal structure, a narrow bottom and significant stratification in water turbidity.
Preliminary geochronological activity indicates that the blue hole formed at least 3,200 years ago.
The report also stated that the blue hole and the surrounding waters are rich in biodiversity.