| Well of Barhout | |
| Map: | Yemen |
| Mapframe: | no |
| Location: | Al-Mahara, Yemen |
The Well of Barhout (also nicknamed Well of Hell) is a sink hole in Al-Mahara, Yemen. It has a circular entrance that measures about wide at the surface, and it is 112m (367feet) deep.
The opening at the top of the Well of Barhout measures 98feet across, while the bottom of the sinkhole widens to 380feet. The sinkhole is 367feet deep and passes through two layers of rock. The top layer is around 200feet in thickness. The top layer is porous and permeable and thus allows water to filter down to the second layer which is less permeable, where it flows into the sinkhole, creating four waterfalls each measuring 150feet in height.[1]
It was first explored by the Oman Cave Exploration Team (OCET), who reached the bottom on 15 September 2021. Footage provided to Agence France-Presse (AFP) showed cave formations such as stalagmites and grey and lime-green cave pearls, formed by dripping water.[2] [3] The speleologists also report having found snakes, dead animals, and waterfalls in the cave.
Amateur cave explorers have entered the sinkhole before, but until now nobody was known to have made it all the way to the bottom.[4] [5] Samples of the rocks, soil, water, and dead birds found in the cave were collected for further analysis. A full report of the team's findings will be made available to the public.[6]
Local folklore says the cave was created as a prison for jinn, and superstition has it that objects near the hole can be sucked towards it. Some nearby residents think that it is bad luck to even talk about it.