Sima Humboldt
Sinkhole in Venezuela
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Sima Humboldt (Sima Mayor) is an enormous sinkhole located on the summit of the plateau of Sarisariñama tepui in Bolívar State, Venezuela.[1] It is unusual for several reasons, including its enormous size and depth, its location on the top of the only forested tepui, having a patch of forest on its base and also due to the weathering process that formed this sinkhole. The feature is named after scientist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt.
| Sima Humboldt | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Sima Humboldt | |
| Location | Venezuela, Bolívar (state), Sarisariñama |
| Coordinates | 4°41′08″N 64°13′07″W |
| Depth | 314 m (1,030 ft) |
| Discovery | 1961 |
| Geology | Quartzite |
| Access | By special researcher permit only |
The sinkhole was descended for the first time in 1974 and more thoroughly explored in 1976. Its volume is 18,000,000 m3 (640,000,000 cu ft), with a maximum width of 352 m (1,155 ft) at its upper rim and 502 m (1,647 ft) below, and a depth of 314 m (1,030 ft).[2]
Only 700 metres from the rim of Sima Humboldt there is another enormous sinkhole, Sima Martel. Both were first spotted in 1961 by pilot Harry Gibson.[3] In total there are four caves on Sarisariñama.