Sistema Dos Ojos
Sistema Dos Ojos is a vast, partially flooded cave system located on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, renowned for its exceptionally clear water and significant role in cave exploration. Initially explored in 1987, it has since been connected to the larger Sistema Sac Actun, creating the world's longest known underwater cave system. Its name, meaning 'Two Eyes System,' refers to two prominent cenotes that serve as entrances.
Key Facts
- ›The surveyed extent of the cave system is 82 kilometers (51 MI).
- ›It features 28 known sinkhole entrances, locally called cenotes.
- ›Contains the deepest known cave passage in Quintana Roo at 119.1 meters (391 ft).
- ›The water temperature remains a consistent 25 °C (77 °F) year-round.
- ›It is a popular site for snorkeling and cavern diving, often receiving over 100 tourists daily.
- ›In 2010, it hosted a world record freedive of 150 meters (490 ft) on a single breath.
Two Eyes System
Deepest Known Cave Passage In Quintana Roo, Exceptionally Clear Freshwater, Two Prominent Cenotes Serving As Entrances
Freshwater, Marine Water
Fish, Freshwater Shrimp
About Sistema Dos Ojos
Sistema Dos Ojos, officially known in Spanish as 'Two Eyes System,' is a significant flooded cave system located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, north of Tulum in Quintana Roo. Its exploration commenced in 1987 and remains an ongoing endeavor. The system is characterized by its extensive underwater passages, with a surveyed length of 82 kilometers (51 mi) and 28 known sinkhole entrances, referred to locally as cenotes.
Geological Significance and Features
The name 'Dos Ojos' derives from two neighboring cenotes that provide access to a large cavern zone, appearing visually as two large eyes. This system is an anchialine cave, meaning it has connections to intruding marine waters and experiences tidal influences within its cenotes. Notably, Dos Ojos contains 'The Pit,' which features the deepest known cave passage in Quintana Roo, reaching a depth of 119.1 meters (391 ft). The water within the system is exceptionally clear, a result of rainwater filtered through pure limestone, with minimal soil development.
Expansion and Connectivity
A major development in the system's history occurred in January 2018 when a connection was discovered between Sistema Dos Ojos and Sistema Sac Actun. This integration made the combined Sistema Sac Actun the longest known underwater cave system globally. Prior to this connection, Dos Ojos itself consistently ranked among the top ten longest underwater cave systems worldwide since the late 1980s.
Tourism and Recreation
Sistema Dos Ojos is a highly popular destination for snorkeling and cavern diving. It typically welcomes over a hundred tourists daily, drawn by the pristine water conditions and accessible cavern dives, which generally occur at depths of 5–7 meters (16–23 ft). The system's excellent visibility, often limited only by available light, enhances the underwater experience. It is also possible to traverse underwater to an adjacent cenote known as the 'Bat Cave,' which is also utilized for snorkeling.
Cultural and Scientific Recognition
The system's allure has extended to the film industry, with features in the 2002 IMAX film 'Journey Into Amazing Caves' and the 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel series 'Planet Earth.' Parts of the 2005 Hollywood movie 'The Cave' were also filmed within the Dos Ojos system. In the realm of freediving, Sistema Dos Ojos hosted Carlos Coste's record-breaking freedive on November 3, 2010, where he swam 150 m (490 ft) on a single breath, earning a Guinness World Record for the longest distance swum underwater with one breath in open water.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sistema Dos Ojos?
Sistema Dos Ojos is a large, flooded cave system on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It is known for its extensive underwater passages and exceptionally clear freshwater.
What does 'Dos Ojos' mean?
'Dos Ojos' translates to 'Two Eyes' in Spanish. The name refers to two prominent cenotes that are the primary entrances to the system and resemble two large eyes looking into the underground.
How large is the Sistema Dos Ojos cave system?
As a separate system, Dos Ojos had a surveyed extent of 82 kilometers (51 mi) with 28 known entrances. Following its connection to Sistema Sac Actun, the combined system is significantly larger.
What makes the water in Dos Ojos so clear?
The water in Dos Ojos is exceptionally clear because rainwater is filtered through pure limestone, and there is very little soil development in the region. This results in excellent visibility for divers and snorkelers.
Is Sistema Dos Ojos a good place for diving?
Yes, Dos Ojos is a very popular site for cavern diving and snorkeling. The dives are typically shallow, between 5-7 meters (16-23 ft), and visibility is excellent.
Has Sistema Dos Ojos been featured in any films?
Yes, Sistema Dos Ojos has been featured in several documentaries and films. It was showcased in the 2002 IMAX film 'Journey Into Amazing Caves' and the 2006 BBC/Discovery Channel series 'Planet Earth.' Parts of the 2005 Hollywood movie 'The Cave' were also filmed there.
What is 'The Pit' in Sistema Dos Ojos?
'The Pit' is a location within Sistema Dos Ojos that contains the deepest known cave passage in Quintana Roo, reaching a depth of 119.1 meters (391 ft). It was discovered in 1996.
Is Dos Ojos connected to other cave systems?
Yes, in January 2018, a connection was established between Sistema Dos Ojos and Sistema Sac Actun. This connection made Sistema Sac Actun the longest known underwater cave system in the world, with Dos Ojos becoming a part of it.
Related Sinkholes
Dzibilchaltun
Dzibilchaltun is a significant Maya archaeological site in Yucatán, Mexico, notable for its continuous occupation spanning thousands of years and its unique Temple of the Seven Dolls. The site's location was strategically chosen for proximity to salt production and a vital cenote, Cenote Xlakah, which served as a religious center and a source of water.
Sacred Cenote
The Sacred Cenote is a water-filled sinkhole located at the Maya archaeological site of Chichen Itza in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Historically, it served as a significant site for pre-Columbian Maya rituals, where offerings of valuable objects and human sacrifices were made to the rain god Chaac. Archaeological explorations, notably by Edward Herbert Thompson, have recovered a vast array of artifacts and human remains, providing insights into Maya culture and religious practices.
Zacatón
Zacatón is a deep, water-filled sinkhole located in Tamaulipas, Mexico, known for its extreme depths and unique thermokarst formation. It is significant for scientific exploration, having served as a testbed for advanced robotic technology and yielding discoveries of new microbial life. The sinkhole's name originates from floating islands of zacate grass on its surface.