Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca | Stone waterfall San Lorenzo Albarradas, Mexico
Hierve el Agua or The water boils, is set of natural rock formations in
the Mexican state of Oaxaca that resemble cascades of water. The site
is located about 70 km east of Oaxaca city, past Mitla, in the municipal
devision of San Lorenzo Albarradas, with a narrow, winding unpaved road
leading to the site. At first glance, this formation looks like a
frozen waterfall, which in itself is impossible, given the mild climate
of southern Mexico. But in fact it is - stone waterfall that sounds even
less likely, but it is quite real. This amazing waterfall that looks
petrified, is a tourist attraction known as Boiling Water. Natural
mineral springs that attract crowds of tourists, are also responsible
for the formation of this unprecedented geological formation. Once there
actually was a waterfall, but its waters were so rich in minerals that
after he was dry, his place is left is a stone formation.
The site consists of
two rock shelves or cliffs which rise
between fifty and ninety metres from the valley below, from which extend
nearly white rock formations which look like waterfalls. These
formations are created by fresh water springs, whose water is
over-saturated with calcium carbonate and other minerals. As the water
scurries over the cliffs, the excess minerals are deposited, much in the
same manner that stalactites are formed in caves. One of the cliffs,
called the "cascada chica" (small waterfall) or the Amphitheatre,
contains two large artificial pools for swimming as well as a number of
small natural pools. One of the artificial pools is very near the edge
of the cliff. [Text
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The site consist of two waterfall-like rock formations which have been
formed over thousands of years. Both cliffs rise over 50 meters from the
valley floorimpressive petrified waterfalls (calcium carbonate) formed
from thousands of years ago by the carbonated water runoff. From
springs, water falls rugged cliffs over 50 meters high., with one rock
formation reaching down twelve metres and the other reaching down thirty
metres. The twelve meter one is called "cascada chica" (small
waterfall) and "flows" off a base which is about sixty metres wide. The
other, "cascada grande" (large waterfall), extends down from a base with
which is about ninety metres wide and eighty metres above the valley
floor. [Text
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The rock formations are often described as "cascadas de sal" (salt
waterfalls), "cascadas petrificadas" (petrified waterfalls) and
"cascadas pétreas" (rock waterfalls) . The falls are formed by
relatively small amounts of water which is oversaturated with calcium
carbonate and comes to the surface through cracks or figures on the
mountainside. The water has a temperature of 22 to 27C. As the water
runs down the rock face, it forms large stalactites similar to those
found in caves. The flow of water from the spring varies significantly
between the dry and rainy seasons. 95% of the surface rock formations
are of calcium carbonate; however, lower layers of both rock and water
currents are little known as they are sealed by the above layers. The
calcium carbonate gives the formations a white or near white appearance,
but other minerals that can be present in the water, such as silver,
barium and iron can also be found and determines the color of a
particular stalactite. The calcium carbonate in the water is due to
rainwater which passes underground. First it absorbs carbon dioxide, and
forms molecules of carbonic acid. This acid comes into contact with
underground marble and partially dissolves creating calcium bicarbonate.
When the water runs above ground, the excess minerals fall out. [Text
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The waters, with their high mineral content, are reputed to have healing
qualities. The more easily accessible and more often visited of the two
waterfalls is the "cascada chica," also called the Amphitheatre. This
cliff rises over fifty metres above the valley floor, where there is a
natural platform about sixty meters wide. This platform has four
springs. The water from three of the four springs is captured by a
number of small natural pools and two large artificial pools in which
visitors can swim. The lower of the two pools is very close to the cliff
edge and was built in 2007. In these pools, the water appears a
turquoise green due to the mineral concentration. The fourth spring is
located closest to the edge and responsible for most of the waterfall
rock formation. Two of the four springs on the Amphitheatre side rise
from the level floor and appear to bubble up, which is the source of the
name. The bubbling action of these and some other springs is thought to
occur due to construction of underground water currents. This bubbling
action leads to the name of the area, Hierve el Agua (the water boils).
Water constantly flows out of the springs and the process of depositing
the calcium carbonate is ongoing, which can be seen on the walls of the
artificial pools. [Text
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