Tag: erosion

On The Map Monday: Cenotes in Mexico

The cenote (pronounced seh-NO-tay) is a large sinkhole resulting from a collapse of limestone bedrock exposing groundwater below. They are commonly found in the Yucatan area of Mexico. To the Mayan’s the cenote is known as “sacred well”, a source of water when the season was dry. Cenote’s are common geological formations in areas with low latitudes, including islands and coastlines. The water in a cenote is usually very clear as it comes from rain water which is filtered very slowly through the ground and contains very little dirt/earth particles. The water can be so clear that you can see little fish swimming around below! This water in a cenote can carve out intricate caves out of the limestone bedrock as well.

Here’s a list of a few famous cenote’s in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico:

(Most of these you can go visit and actually swim in!)

1. Cenote Yokdzonot, near Chichén Itzá

2. Cenote Dos Ojos, near Tulum

3. Cenote Samulá, near Valladolid and Chichén Itzá

4. Cenote Ponderosa, near Playa Del Carmen

5. Grutas de Loltún, near Chichén Itzá and Tulúm

Think About It Thursday: Where Does Sea Glass Come From?

 

Image Source: Pixabay.com

First off, if you are not sure what sea glass is, it is glass from bottles or other objects that the salt water has physically and chemically weathered over a certain period of time. This weathering gives the glass smooth edges and a “frosted” look to it. Typically it can take 1-2 years for sea glass to acquire its characteristic texture!

Genuine sea glass originates as pieces of glass from broken bottles, broken tableware, or even shipwrecks, which are rolled and tumbled in the ocean for years until all of their edges are rounded off, and the slickness of the glass has been worn.

Sea glass can be found in all sorts of colors, BUT some are more rare than others! To see all the types of sea glass that can be found please follow this link: http://www.bytheseajewelry.com/theglass/color.php