A primitive forest has been discovered at the bottom of a giant sinkhole in China which could contain as-yet unidentified plants and animals.
The Guardian has reported that cave explorers in the Guangxi region in the south of the country found the sinkhole, which contained an ancient forest with trees up to 40 metres (130ft) tall.
The site is among 30 sinkholes in Leye County and is the largest at 306 metres (1,004ft) long, 150 metres (490ft) wide and 192 metres (630ft) deep.
Zhang Yuanhai, a senior engineer at the Institute of Karst Geology of the China Geological Survey, told the state news agency Xinhua that the site had three caves in its walls and a primitive forest at the bottom.
Chen Lixin, who led the expedition team, said that as well as the trees there was dense undergrowth on the floor that came up to his shoulders.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to know that there are species found in these caves that have never been reported or described by science until now,” he is quoted as saying.
The area is known as a karst landscape, formed primarily by the dissolution of bedrock by groundwater, creating sinkholes, streams, caves, springs and other characteristic features.
Reports said this means dramatic sinkholes and caves are created throughout the area. This one is rare, however, as it is deep but shaped so enough light filters in, which means the large trees can grow.
