The strong earthquake that shook much of Mexico on September 19 not only left damage to real estate. It also had an impact on natural areas, including some outside the country. This was the case of Death Valley in Nevada, United Stateswhere the phenomenon caused “a tsunami“.
According to the recordings, waves of up to 1.2 meters high occurred in the Hoyo del Diablo cavern twenty minutes after the earthquake with its epicenter in the state of Michoacán.
Records show that seismic energy traveled about 2,400 kilometers through the earth’s crust to reach this limestone cavern that has a geothermal pool.
As a consequence of the “tsunami”, there was a mix of limestone and stones, which affected the strange inhabitants of the place, the Cyprinodon diabolis fish. Fortunately, this species, which has been feeding on algae from the depths of the pool for nearly 10,000 years, came out unscathed. It should be noted that the pup fish, inhabitant of the Devil’s Hole, is in danger of extinction, however, in recent times its population has increased.
According to Kevin Wilson, an aquatic ecologist with the National Park Service, the cave fish have faced various misfortunes this year, but not a single dead specimen was found after the big waves.
Just nine years ago the pup fish had only 75 individuals in the pool. This year a new census showed the amount of 175, therefore each fish is very valuable.
Rodrigo Osegueda Philosopher by training. Contemplate the soul and imagination of Mexico.