Geomorphology of the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin: A GIS-based approach to hydrogeologic mapping

A comprehensive geomorphological study of the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin, spanning Guatemala and Mexico, reveals its complex hydrologic features and subsurface flow patterns. Using advanced remote sensing techniques—including orthophotographs, satellite DEMs, multispectral images, and LiDAR data—the research maps five distinct karst landscapes, dominated by fluviokarst valleys, and identifies critical hydrologic elements such as seasonal swamps, dolines, intermittent lakes, and springs. The study delineates the basin's boundaries through spatial analysis of karst valleys, spring lines, and surface drainage, while thin section analysis confirms the lithological composition of the upper Buena Vista Formation. A regional groundwater map illustrates east-to-west subsurface flow, providing insights into the geomorphological context that supported the ancient Maya civilization during the Middle and Late Preclassic periods (1000 BCE–150 CE).

Ensley, R., Hansen, R. D., Morales-Aguilar, C., & Thompson, J. (2021). Geomorphology of the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin: A GIS-based approach to hydrogeologic mapping. Plos One, 16(8), e0255496. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255496