The Sac Actun System, Quintana Roo, Mexico

P. N. Kambesis; J.G. Coke IV

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin.127.1.012

Autores/as

P. N. Kambesis Dept. of Geosciences, Mississippi State University Mississippi State
J.G. Coke IV

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.127.1.012

Palabras clave:

caleta, cueva, cueva anquihalina, cenote, karst eogenetico, corrosión, zona de mezcla

Resumen

El sistema Sac Actun, situado en el noreste de Quintana Roo, México, es uno de los más extensos sistemas de cuevas submarinas ubicadas a lo largo de la costa caribeña de la Península de Yucatán. La cueva se compone de conductos freáticos lineales que tienen dos formas. Las secciones costeras del Sistema Sac Actun se caracterizan por túneles bajos horizontales que forman laberintos paralelos a la costa y conductos rudimentarios rotos por salas controladas por la fracturación. Los pasajes tierra adentro están controlados por fallas/fracturas y tienen una configuración lineal y anastomosada y se alinean perpendiculares a la costa. El acceso al sistema de cuevas se hace a través de cenotes que son los portales hacia el sistema de cuevas subacuáticas de Yucatán. La presencia de espeleotemas sumergidos en muchas partes del sistema de cuevas, y las secciones de pasajes del nivel superior llenos de aire son indicativos de grandes fluctuaciones en el nivel del mar. El sistema de Sac Actun es parte de uno de los más extensos e importantes acuíferos kársticos eogenéticos en el mundo. El desarrollo del Sistema Sac Actun, así como los muchos otros sistemas de cuevas a lo largo de la costa caribeña de Yucatán está controlado por el régimen hidrológico costero, controlado por procesos galcio-eustáticos, e influenciado por los controles estratigráficos y estructurales. La permeabilidad kárstica del acuífero hace del Sistema Sac Actun un medio vulnerable a los impactos antropogénicos por mayor crecimiento de la población, canteras, y el desarrollo de infraestructura asociados con la industria de un turismo floreciente que domina el uso del suelo en la región.

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