Mystical Cenote Collapse Rocks Xocén!

On August 4, residents of Xocén were startled by a thunderous noise. Upon investigation, they discovered that a large, iconic ceiba tree had fallen into a cenote, a natural pit or sinkhole. This particular cenote is considered the “center of the world” in Mayan mythology.

The Yucatan peninsula, where Xocén is located, is a karstic terrain. It's filled with cenotes, caves, grottoes, sinkholes, and other geological structures that are constantly changing. Therefore, the collapse in Xocén is seen as a "normal part of its evolution". However, the event drew significant attention because the cenote swallowed a giant tree that was over 100 years old. The site of the collapse is in the municipality of Valladolid, in the commissioner of Xocén.

Following the incident, specialist divers, including speleologist Erick Sosa Rodríguez, analyzed the site. Rodríguez, an expert in cenote and cave exploration, expressed his commitment to preserving these unique ecosystems. He thanked the Valladolid City Council and the State government for the opportunity to participate in the exploration and assess the new conditions of the cenote. The vault of the cenote measures 57 meters in diameter at its widest part. It may have once been a material bank, given its small chamber of sahcab (chalky white soil), a substance used in construction.

During his dive, Rodríguez observed stalactites up to three meters long and approximately one meter in diameter. He also found fragments of the vault and the ceiba tree. The water inside the cenote was notably cloudy due to the natural decay of the tree and sediments from the collapse.

The water's edge reaches a depth of one meter. However, the south-center zone reaches a depth of 23 meters, and the north reaches 36 meters. The roof shows various fractured areas and roots that weaken its structure.

Rodríguez believes that documenting the development processes of karst ecosystems can help authorities plan urban development around these common Yucatan ecosystems. Since the collapse, national media and the public have flocked to the site, seeking insights from locals about the spiritual and mystical significance of the event.