“CENOTE” HISTORY:
The Spanish word „cenote“ originally derives from the Mayan word „dznot“ which means „sacred water“. Mayans believe that the Cenotes are an entry to their underworld called „Xibalba“ where the rain god „Chac“ lives. In the past rituals took place and sacrifices were made in certain Cenotes – one very popular is the Cenote attached to the pyramid complex „Chichen Itza“ – in order to achieve harmony with the rain god „Chac“ and to receive sufficient rain and consequently water.

At that time they were not aware of the fact that they were literally sitting on one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in the world, having enough water for ages because the Yucatan Peninsula is basically a huge sponge soaked with the clearest freshwater ever.

It started millions of years ago when the Yucatan Peninsula was still a coral reef. During various ice ages the water level sank approximately 100 meters with the result that the coral reef rose out of the water and died off.
An approx. 2 kilometers thick limestone plateau was formed which flooded again after the ice age. Over the years a coral reef was formed again. This process has taken place several times. Every time during the ice age period when the limestone plateau rose out of the water, atmospheric carbon dioxide and rain merged to carbonic acid, intruded into the soft limestone and dissolved it. As generally known water usually flows towards the sea so the limestone was dissolved on its way there and in over millions of years underground river systems emerged from this development towards the coast.

For the last approx. 44 million years the Yucatan Peninsula has not been flooded and remained in the condition that we know today. But dissolution process of the caves continued. Over several ice ages the last one took place approx. 18 thousand years ago the water level went up and down over and over again. Hence, for a long time, several cave systems were dry caves as the water level was approx. 10 meters lower than it is today. During that time, stalagtites, stalagmites and even columns were formed by the same dissolution process that originally formed the caves.

On the way between surface and cave ceiling acid rain dissolved the limestone. This carbonic acid absorbed calcium carbonate. When a drop of water hung on the cave ceiling for approx. 15 to 20 minutes it released the mineral calcium carbonate to the cave ceiling and drop by drop a stalagtite was formed. The same drop when dripping down to the bottom of the cave released calcium carbonate there too and from the bottom a stalagmite started growing. After a long while, stalagmite and stalagtite were merged to columns.

As one can imagine this process takes a very long time depending on the amount of rain and porosity of the limestone. But it is realistic to estimate that it takes a stalagtite about 100 years to grow one to ten centimeters in average.

Cenotes mostly resulted from collapsed cave ceilings („cave collapse“) because during low water level periods cave ceilings were too weak to carry the weight and collapsed under it. So called „sink holes“ (cenotes) were formed that filled up with water and opened the cave entrances. Other deep cenotes were most likely formed by meteors that hit the north of Yucatan Peninsula (today’s Golf of Mexico) around 64 million years ago. The power of meteors cracked through the cave ceilings and went even much deeper into the limestone. The Cenotes „Chichen Itza“ and „The Pit“ are about 100 meters deep. They are the deepest Cenotes along the Riviera Maya and most likely evolved from meteor strikes.

Meanwhile many cave systems have been filled with clear rain water that is being extremely filtered on its three to four day long way from the surface down into the cave. Due to dissolution of limestone water contains calcium carbonate and does not have drinking water quality even if it is very clear.

Visibility reaches over one hundred meters which makes diving an unforgettable experience. As we dive at the Riviera Maya relatively close by the sea, sea pressure pushes salt water into the caves. The speed of the water flow in the cave systems is very low approx. 1.5 to 2.5 kilometers within 24 hours due to this fact we find salt water at a depth of 10 meters. Where salt water and freshwater come together a layer which is called „halocline“ is formed. In calm condition this layer looks like a surface in the water if looking at it from above and below. Illuminated appropriately a white line appears on the limestone. There are some quite confusing impressions if diving in a halocline which is an unforgettable experience for sure.

The combinations of stalagtites, stalagmites, columns and light effects that derive from sunrays, the view from under the water surface into the jungle, mirror effects of rocks towards the surface in shallow water and haloclines in combination with 100 meters of visibility are generally an absolute adventure and experience, especially for spoiled and experienced divers. Each Cenote differs from the other, all of them possess their own charm and beauty and certainly guarantee a big smile on your face after the dive.

You get addicted… and that’s the reason why I am here.