On a recent visit to the Calakmul Museum in Campeche, I was reminded of the Yucatan Asteroid Theory, the scientific explanation of how the Yucatan Peninsula was formed.
This theory has been studied for years to explain why the geological makeup of the Yucatan Peninsula is so different from the rest of Mexico.
Visitors swim in cenotes, take road trips into the jungle, study the interesting history of the area that was dictated by the agriculture, geology, landscape, and natural beauty that makes this area so unique. The Asteroid Theory has been one way to explain the Riviera Maya, Costa Maya and Yucatan. I admit, I am not sure what to think of it, but I wanted to share. Seeing this explanation in the Calakmul Museum reminded me again that this area is special in so many ways.
Chicxulub Crater in the Yucatan
65 million years ago an asteroid, 10kms/6mi. in diameter crashed to the earth’s surface just north of the City of Merida. Upon impact a super -heated dust cloud covered the atmosphere while shock waves, earth quakes and volcanic eruptions disturbed the global environment. The result was the creation of a crater up to 180km/110mi in diameter unveiled by Pemex surveyors in the 1970s.
The research that followed the discovery supported further ideas that at the point of impact, entire ecosystems were destroyed worldwide. Photosynthesis was interrupted, over 70% of the worlds species died on impact, and our planet experienced the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
Proof of the crater’s landing point and support for these global events is in the discovery of melted rock from the asteroid found in Mexico, the United States and Brazil. The craters impact is thought to have helped form the many cenotes (sinkholes) found in this part of Mexico.
Chicxulub is a small Yucatan pueblito named after the asteroid. Located on Hwy 176 to the north of Merida, stories are still told to this day about the impact and effect the asteroid had throughout Mexico and the world.
What do you believe? Is this is a theory that makes sense to you, based on the evidence that has been presented. The theory is controversial, and has provoked many scientific studies of the area. If anything the entire idea is just fascinating, and to think this happened in the neighboring state to the Riviera Maya. You would have thunk?