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Poza Garapata, Sistema Zacaton

WorldBlue  In short

One of interesting features in the unique Sistema Zacatón karst field is Poza Garapata.

3.4 out of 10 stars 33.8%

GPS coordinates
23.0062 N 98.1647 W
Location, address
North America, Mexico, Tamaulipas, southern part of the state, 14 km north-west from Aldama town
Depth
?

Map of the site

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WorldYellow In detail

Sistema Zacatón is an area with incredible characteristics unparalleled in the world. In total area contains some 20 unusual features – sinkholes, caves, springs created by deep groundwater heated by volcanic processes. Karstification processes here continue today as well – acidic groundwater continues to strip away the limestone and deposits it in unusual travertine formations.

Sinkhole with a secret

Surface of Poza Garapata – a rounded sinkhole – is covered with dense vegetation. It is hard to access – sides of the sinkhole are steep and covered with even more dense, thorny vegetation. As it is usual in the thickets of Sistema Zacatón, there are many ticks – hence the name of the sinkhole.

Most likely the even bottom if this seemingly simple landmark is just a few meters thick layer of travertine with an enormous body of clear water below it – not too far is the unique Poza Seca – very similar sinkhole covered with travertine lid and hiding unknown organisms in the water below it.

References

  1. Marcus Gary, Poza Garapata, Sistema Zacatón, research homepage. Accessed in the 23rd June 2010

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This book illustrates the diversity of hypogene speleogenetic processes and void-conduit patterns depending on variations of the geological environments by presenting regional and cave-specific case studies. The cases include both well-known and newly recognized hypogene karst regions and caves of the world. They all focus on geological, hydrogeological, geodynamical, and evolutionary contexts of hypogene speleogenesis.

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