Paleo Slide Set: Climate and the Classic Maya Civilization
Lake Chichancanab looking towards the eastern hills.

Scientists reconstructed the past climate of the Maya civilization by studying lake sediment 
cores on the Yucatan Peninsula. The first area of study, Lake Chichancanab, is located in the 
center of the Yucatan. Lake Chichancanab is a long (26-km), narrow (2 km) lake, consisting of 
a series of basins that are connected during high water level. Sediment cores were collected 
from the central basin in a water depth of 6.9 m. The lake lies in a fault depression caused 
by normal faulting. The steep hills on the eastern side of the lake represent the fault line. 

Photo Credits:
David A. Hodell 
Department of Geology, University of Florida