Holocene and Upper Pleistocene stratigraphy of Xochimilco lake, central Mexico

A comprehensive stratigraphic analysis of Xochimilco lake, part of the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco, reveals environmental oscillations spanning 300,000 to 350,000 years. The study identified eight distinct lithological units dominated by clastic sediments, biogenic components (primarily diatoms), and volcaniclastic deposits, providing a detailed record of late Quaternary environmental changes. Diatom-rich laminated sediments correspond to deeper lake phases, while higher calcareous components indicate shallower, more saline conditions. This foundational stratigraphy enables future paleoclimatic investigations, offering insights into millennial-scale environmental dynamics in the basin of Mexico.

Ortega-Guerrero, B., García, S., Cruz, G., Salinas, C., Caballero, M., Reyes, I., & Caballero, L. (2022). Holocene and Upper Pleistocene stratigraphy of Xochimilco lake, central Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Geológicas, 39(2), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.22201/cgeo.20072902e.2022.2.1687