Hierve el Agua

Hierve el Agua (Spanish for "the water boils") is set of natural rock formations in the Mexican state of Oaxaca that look like waterfalls.

The site is located about 70 kilometers east of Oaxaca city, past Mitla, near San Lorenzo Albarradas on Highway 190.cite journal |last= Quintanar Hinojosa |first=Beatriz |year=2007 |month= August |title=Hierve el Agua |journal=Guía México Desconocido: Oaxaca |volume= 137 |pages=23 |url= www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx ] Relatively small amounts of water -- which, despite the name, is not hot (25°C) -- bubble up from four springs and, running over the cliffs, evaporate. The rock formations, primarily of calcium carbonate, are left behind. This is much the same process as forms stalactites and stalagmites in caves, but in this case takes place on the side of a mountain. cite web |last=Malpica Cruz |first=Víctor Manuel |url=http://geologia.igeolcu.unam.mx/academia/Temas/Diapositivas/Travertino.htm |title=Cascadas de Travertino y Calcita de Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca, México |accessdate=2008-02-15 |format= |work= ]

The formations are very high, with the two principal “waterfalls” measuring 12 and 30 meters. The picture in the gallery with tourists on top of the "waterfall" gives an idea of the scale.

The area is also of archeological interest because of the extensive system of irrigation and terraces built by the Zapotecs as much as 2,500 years ago.

The water is artificially pooled in two places so that visitors can wade or swim in it. The water in the pools has such a high salt concentration that it appears turquoise green. Trails allow for hiking to the bottom of the rock formations and to various other places in the vicinity. The pools are not thermal but nonetheless are effervescent enough to simulate water at the verge of boiling, giving rise to the name.

In the 1990s cabins were built for overnight accommodation at the site, with a swimming pool built in the middle of the ring of cabins. In 2007, construction was begun on a new pool on the edge of the mesa, surrounded by building with space for several open air restaurants.

Access to the site is by means of a narrow, winding dirt road for about 12 km (8 miles), crossing several ejidos where vehicle tolls are levied.

References

Picture gallery