Mexico ’s Yucatan Peninsula is infamous for being a geologic footing zero , the land site wherein a massive asteroid collide with Earth , cracked the cheekiness , sent plume of debris 20 kilometer ( 12.4 miles ) up into the atmosphere , and brought about speedy climate variety that terminate the age of the dinosaurs .
That ’s not the only geologic gem obliterate in the region , though . The area conceals colossal cenotes ( sinkholes ) and inundate cave – and now , according to a news report byReuters , Explorer have now key out what is thought to be the earth ’s most expansive flooded cave arrangement .
in the beginning think to be two different caves – the Dos Ojos ( “ two eyes ” ) and the Sac Actun ( “ ashen cave ” ) divers have find that they are in fact link . It ’s now one , 347 - kilometer ( 216 - mile ) cave ; a internal ear of channels and passageways that have remained a secret for gazillion of age .
The project was spearhead by theGran Acuifero Maya(GAM ) opening move , in which research worker go for to map out as much of the subsurface of the peninsula as they can .
“ This [ find ] become Sac Actun into the tumid submerged cave in the world , ” the pioneering adventurer announced in a recentblog postal service . They excuse that although this special phase of the project began in 2017 , Robert Schmittner , the exploration director of GAM , has been assay this connection between the cave for 14 years .
As the name of the project suggests , the cave and cenotes have a connection to the long - lostMaya civilisation , which had dominion over the region for several centuries .
Such aesthetically beautiful features would have indubitably made a huge opinion on the Maya . Indeed , it come out that they construct at least some of their temples over them . One , dedicated to afeathered serpent deity , was recently found to be connect – via the bone - filled ossuary – to a cenote , which was partially stuff off . It ’s like a waterlogged passage to the underworld .
These cave system can be constitute all over the world , when the conditions are right for them to form . Plenty are speedily becoming tourist hotspots , but others remain invitingly unexplored .
The Ox Bel Ha cave internet , another wonder hold back along and beneath the Yucatan Peninsula – and the old title - bearer – was recently get to moderate an ecosystemdominated by methane : from bacteria to shrimp , rude gas dominate the diet of many of the critters down there .
As is becoming increasingly obvious , the Yucatan Peninsula is averitable goldmineof these sink and soaked mazes ; the lip of theChicxulub impact crateris peculiarly packed .
The bedrock here is comprised of thick limestone , a rock that gives mode to eroding more easily than most , specially when the water is acidic . This calcareous platform formed 66 million year ago when life within a shallow sea died off and was ultimately lithified . Eventually , this Brobdingnagian , poriferous , limestone platform begin to be eroded by the slightly acidic rain , which use up away at the underlying rock , form these subaqueous cave .
The ocean levels finally cast off , which caused parts of the limestone roof to give in on themselves , yield us cenotes . The sea level then eventually uprise again , and the cave flooded .
“ This Brobdingnagian cave play the most crucial submerged archaeologic situation in the world , ” Guillermo de Anda , researcher at the National Institute of Anthropology and chronicle and director of the GAM , add .
aside from the wealth of archaeological artifact hidden within the cave , he also explains that this giant cave “ pay advance to and bear a great biodiversity . ”
“ Now everyone ’s chore is to conserve it , ” Schmittner conclude .
