Welcome to the stunning 'dive of death' in Texas

IT'S one of the most dangerous places to dive on earth and has claimed eight lives. Yet this spectacular, enormous "black hole" continues to lure thrillseekers in search of the ultimate plunge.

STAFF WRITERS

less than 2 min read

December 12, 2013 - 9:16AM

NewsComAu

IT'S one of the most dangerous places to dive on earth and has claimed eight lives.

Yet this incredible "black hole" continues to lure thrillseekers in search of the plunge of their lives.

Welcome to the natural swimming hole at Jacob's Well in Wimberley, Texas.

One thing's for sure about Jacob's Well: it's enormous. The mouth of the spring is four metres wide, and the depth is approximately 10 metres. But that's not all. The spring then joins one of the largest underwater caves in Texas, reaching a massive depth of 40 metres.

This is one leap you wouldn't want to make. Picture: Picture Media

Amateur photographer Carl Griffin has snapped some stunning images of the hole.

"Jacob's Well is a perpetual artesian spring that feeds Cypress Creek," says Griffin, of Spring Branch, Texas.

An aerial view of Jacob's Well, Wimberley. Picture: Jacob's Well, Facebook

"When people look at the two boys making the leap (pictured above), they do not see the water. All they see is this huge hole, an abyss; the boys appear to be jumping into.

"The water is that clear, that actually the boys are only about one meter above the water's surface.

Picture: Jacob's Well, Facebook

Griffin explains that it's a notoriously dangerous place to dive.

"Scuba divers love to explore the area despite its dangers. Eight divers have lost their lives over the years, despite attempts by authorities to prevent divers from entering the cave system.