CENOTE: PASSAGE TO THE MAYA UNDERWORLD

Cave diving in the world’s largest underground river system is an adventure we’ll never forget. Welcome to the Maya Underworld!

True/False

Cenotes were the source of fresh water for Mayas living in the Yucatan Peninsula.

True

The Yucatan Peninsula is a shelf of limestone created by ancient marine organisms.

True

“Karst topography” refers to geologic formations caused by volcanoes.

False

A “halocline” is a layer of water where salt water and freshwater mix.

True

Food for thought

Because of the limestone geology of the Yucatan Peninsula, there are hardly any rivers in the area. Instead, rainwater percolates quickly into the limestone aquifer beneath. Ancient humans who settled in the area, would have relied on access to fresh water, which made cenotes super important.

Think about other areas of the world (South Florida, for example) and discuss the availability of fresh water in that area. Is it plentiful, scarce, pure, polluted?

Related Videos