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Mar 01

Robotic sub to explore sinkhole

NASA is sending an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle–a.k.a. a robotic sub–to explore the world’s deepest sinkhole:

Like La Pilita, Zacatón is in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and was formed by the collapse of a limestone chamber dissolved by warm, acidic groundwater that originated in a nearby volcanic region. The current theory is that the cenote formed under a vast travertine bed like that of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. But no one knows how deep Zacatón goes. Human divers, descending far below safe depths, have made it to 282 meters without reaching bottom. Sonar doesn’t work over long distances in the confines of the cenote, and current measurements peter out at around 270 meters.

Why NASA? The space agency hopes similar devices may one day explore the oceans believed to be lurking beneath the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon Europa.

Plus, it’s just a really cool thing to do.

Edward Willett

Permanent link to this article: https://edwardwillett.com/2007/03/robotic-sub-to-explore-sinkhole/

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