Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Ring of Cenotes (sinkholes), northwest Yucatan, Mexico: Its hydrogeologic characteristics and possible association with the Chicxulub impact crater

1995; Geological Society of America; Volume: 23; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023 2.3.co;2

1943-2682

Eugene Perry, Luis E. Marín, Jana McClain, Guadalupe Velazquez,

Space Exploration and Technology

Research Article| January 01, 1995 Ring of Cenotes (sinkholes), northwest Yucatan, Mexico: Its hydrogeologic characteristics and possible association with the Chicxulub impact crater Eugene Perry; Eugene Perry 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 601152Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, D.F. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luis Marin; Luis Marin 2Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, D.F. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jana McClain; Jana McClain 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Guadalupe Velazquez Guadalupe Velazquez 2Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, D.F. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Eugene Perry 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 601152Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, D.F. Luis Marin 2Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, D.F. Jana McClain 1Department of Geology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Guadalupe Velazquez 2Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, CP 04510, Mexico, D.F. Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1995) 23 (1): 17–20. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023 2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Eugene Perry, Luis Marin, Jana McClain, Guadalupe Velazquez; Ring of Cenotes (sinkholes), northwest Yucatan, Mexico: Its hydrogeologic characteristics and possible association with the Chicxulub impact crater. Geology 1995;; 23 (1): 17–20. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023 2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A 180-km-diameter semicircular band of abundant karst sinkholes (Ring of Cenotes) in northwest Yucatan, Mexico, coincides approximately with a concentric ring of the buried Chicxulub structure, a circular feature manifested in Cretaceous and older rocks, that has been identified as the product of the impact of a bolide. The ring, expressed in Tertiary rocks, marks a zone of high permeability as shown by (1) the sinkholes themselves, (2) breaks in the coastal dune system and high density of springs where the ring intersects the coast, and (3) water-level transects characterized by a decline in water level toward the ring. Any direct relation that exists between the Ring of Cenotes and the Chicxulub structure bears on regional hydrogeology. If the layer or zone responsible for the ring is deeply buried, it may act as a barrier to the movement of ground water across the main flow direction. Shallower zones of horizontal permeability could result in less complete diversion of ground water. Through its influence on Yucatan aquifer characteristics, the ring may provide a link between modern environmental problems and astrogeology. Possible origins for the Ring of Cenotes are (1) faulting, perhaps reactivated by post-Eocene–mid-Miocene basin loading, (2) permeability in a buried reef complex developed in the shallow Paleocene sea around the crater rim, or (3) breccia collapse occasioned by consolidation or by solution of evaporite components. If the ring developed on ancient faults, it may outline hydrothermal systems and mineral deposits produced during Paleocene cooling of the Chicxulub melt sheet. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.