Can you swim in Harpur Hill Quarry?
The disused limestone quarry, in Harpur Hill near Buxton, has been described as ‘probably the most dangerous water in the UK’. While its lush blue waters look like a tropical paradise, swimming in it could cause chemical burns and infection.
Why swimming in quarries is dangerous?
The first thing people need to be aware of is that swimming at a private quarry can be extremely unsafe. Quarries are bodies of water that are naturally more difficult to swim in because of their temperature and depth. Police say swimming at one that does not have lifeguards present can be fatal.
Can you visit Harpur Hill Quarry?
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue say that the quarry is not a tourist site and people are risking their lives by swimming in it. Open water, such as Hoffman Quarry in Harpur Hill, remains cold nomatter how hot the weather is.
Why is water in a quarry so blue?
When the water in our quarry pit is exposed to the air, it degasses and allows the pH level to rise and for minerals to precipitate. The minerals remain suspended in the water column giving it that “Bahamian” blue color.
Can you swim in a Blue Lagoon?
Can I swim laps in the Blue Lagoon and do I need goggles? The Blue Lagoon is designed for relaxed bathing. Its warm, milky waters are not suitable for vigorous exercise. Likewise, diving is not allowed anywhere.
Why is the water blue in a quarry?
Should you swim in a quarry?
Quarry water is normally far colder than river or sea water, and can send your body into shock or leave you too exhausted to swim within minutes of jumping in. The water can be so cold because of its depth, with underground springs pumping extremely cold water into the quarry.
Why is the water in quarries so blue?
Why is quarry water bright blue? Its water has a very high pH, that is, it is very alkaline, owing to the presence of caustic chemicals that are leaching from the waste left from the lime burning. The lake water has a vivid blue colour due to the scattering of light by finely dispersed particles of calcium carbonate.
Can you swim in quarry water?
Hazards to Humans Water-filled quarries can be very deep, often 50 ft (15 m) or more, and surprisingly cold, so swimming in quarry lakes is generally not recommended. Unexpectedly cold water can cause a swimmer’s muscles to suddenly weaken; it can also cause shock, cold water shock and even hypothermia.
Why is quarry water bright blue?
How do quarries get filled with water?
How do old quarries fill with water? So most quarries fill up naturally from groundwater seeping in and from rain once they’re closed and the pumps are removed. As a side note these “sump holes” where the pump intakes where located are usually the deepest part of a quarry and an interesting area to explore.