The Bimmah Sinkhole, located in
Hawiyat Najm Park, actually meaning “Meteor Fall” Park in Arabic, is a sinkhole
in Muscat Oman. Bimah sinkhole is beautiful natural landmark, the best place
see in Muscat for refreshment at the long coastal road of Oman. This exclusive
sinkhole is so exquisite, as limestone hollow, in Bimmah, boasts the kind of
clear waters normally only seen on holiday postcards. It is approximately 50 by
70 m large, 20 to 30 m deep. The crystal-clear waters provide one of the most
picturesque swims in Oman.
It formed so close to the sea
because of the increased subterranean water flow that occurred down-gradient. The
sinkhole was formed with limestone by a collapse of large cave chamber. However
many believed that this sinkhole was formed by meteorite ("piece of
Moon"). Moroever, at the bottom of sinkhole, one can see deep blue-green water
with a heap of rock and remnants of the collapse. When the roof of one of these
caverns collapses, the land above it falls in too, leaving giant holes. When
groundwater flows through these rocks, it eats away at the rock, leaving behind
subterranean holes and caverns.
The government has developed a
park around the sinkhole, built concrete stairway leading to the lake. It’s a refreshing
lake to take bath for Locals and tourists. It is well thought, that sinkhole is
connected to the 600 m distant sea. Because the top layer of lake is crystal
clear, but at the depth of some 8 m water has sulphuric taste due to sulphur
oxidizing bacteria and is less clear. Though similar holes engulf residential
streets or open up in front of despairing home owners, the Bimmah sinkhole has
long been attracting tourists eager for a picturesque swim.
Breathtaking.
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