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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

New Orleans Geological Society

Abstract


Carbonate Rocks and Hydrogeology of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, May 24-26, 1976
Pages 192-210

Karst Hydrology of Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

V. T. Stringfield, H. E. LeGrand

ABSTRACT

Northern Yucatan is underlain by nearly horizontal Tertiary formations consisting chiefly of limestone and other soluble rocks. Karst features in Yucatan may be divided into two groups: (1) surficial features that do not extend more than a few meters below the surface, and (2) deep features as sinkholes, solution shafts, and solution cavities that affect the permeability of the rocks and circulation of the water far below the surface. Many of the numerous sinkholes in the limestone are natural water wells known as cenotes which were a source of water for the Mayan cities. At Chichen Itza one cenote was used for water supply and one was used for sacrifice.

Although the annual rainfall is as much as 2,000 mm, there are no surface streams because water on the surface moves freely into the underlying limestone. After reaching the zone of saturation in the limestone, the water moves laterally to the coast where part of it is discharged through cenotes and other openings. Such discharge is controlled in part by the relation of the fresh-water head of the aquifer to the head of sea water.

Although the altitude of the water level in the limestone aquifer away from the coast is not more than a few meters, it is sufficient to prevent sea-water encroachment in the upper part of the aquifer. However, it apparently is not sufficient to keep sea water out of the lower part of the aquifer throughout the peninsula.


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