Study Area
AERIAL PHOTO
- ALEMEDA
- ATASCOSA– The shallow tank of Atascosa (translates to sticky mud hole) appears to be spring fed, and only dries up in the most extreme droughts. Marcus Gary is taking GPS readings on its location.
- LAGUNA COLORADA– Laguna Colorada is a beautiful emerald-blue water-filled sinkhole in the north section of the study area. This site has been visited once in March 2002, but only basic water quality measurements were taken then. We hope to dive and sample the site in the near future.
- CUEVA LA IGUANA
- POZA GARAPATA– This large sinkhole in the central section of the study area appears to have flat floor at the water table covered with dense reed-like vegetation. It is theorized that this floor is travertine that has formed at the water table subsequently to the initial collapse of the sinkhole.
- TULE– This aerial photograph of the central section is looking south and shows Poza Garapata in the foreground , an unknown sinkhole, and Tule, the largest feature in this image. The dense reed vegetation that rims this shallow circular pool provides an exceptional barrier to keep out terrestrial animals (including humans). The center was accessed in March, 2002, when measurements and samples were collected.
- CAVERNAS LAS CUARTELES– The entrance passage at Cavernas Las Cuarteles has many collapse sinks with higeron (strangler fig) trees. This dry cave system is over 1.5 kilometers long and is thought to terminate in La Cristalina, along the north wall of the Azufrosa doline.
- EL ZACATÓN
- CARACOL– The sinkhole of Caracol is over 80 deep and very unstable, and recent collapse breccias can be seen behind the dive team. This site has the highest levels of dissolved hydrogen sulfide, but levels appear to fluctuate on daily cycles, possibly due to microbial activity.
- VERDE
- LA PILITA– The pool of La Pilita is over 120 meters deep and is rimmed with travertine deposits that exist to the tree line. Underwater, the walls are coated with spectacular red biomats of algae and bacteria. The water is a pleasant 31 degrees Celsius, so we make this is our campsite.
- AZUFROSA
- CAVERNA TRAVERTINA
PROFILE VIEW OF THE SOUTH SECTION
