Alchichica: Mexican Crater of Mystery

This strange lake in a remote part of the Mexican state of Puebla is full of mystery.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:12):
Welcome to Mexico Unexplained, where we will explore the magic,
the mysteries and the miracles of Mexico. This series presents
information based partly on theory and conjecture. The podcaster's purpose
is to suggest some possible explanation, but not necessarily the
only ones to the subjects we will examine. Here is
your host, Robert Bitto.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Welcome and Muibian Benitos to episode number four hundred and
twenty three of Mexico Unexplained, where we examine the magic,
the mysteries, and the miracles of Mexico. I'm your host,
Robert Biddo. Nestled in the high desert plains of the
Mexican state of Puebla, on the border with Vera Cruz,
lies Laguna de al Chichika, a shimmering turquoise jewel set

(00:57):
within an ancient volcanic crater. This saline lake, known as
an Ashala Pasco in the local Nahwat language, is more
than just a natural wonder. Measuring almost a mile and
a half in diameter and plunging to a depth of
almost two hundred feet, its crystalline waters and surreal surroundings

(01:18):
have inspired awe, fear, and fascination for generations. For those
interested in the magic, the mysteries, and the miracles of Mexico,
Laguna de al Chichka is a treasure trove of legends, anomalies,
and the bizarre that blur the lines between myth, science
and the supernatural. From silver haired sirens to ufo sidings,

(01:42):
from ancient microbial life to tales of a bottomless abyss,
this lake is a portal to the unknown. Let's dive
into the stories that make Laguna de al Chichika one
of Mexico's most enigmatic destinations. Before we unravel the legends,
let's set the stage with the lake's origins. Laguna de

(02:02):
Alchichica is a mar a type of volcanic crater formed
by a violent explosion when magma meets groundwater, creating a wide,
shallow basin that fills with water over millennia. The lake
is one of six crater lakes in Puebla, each with
its own unique character. Al Chichka stands out for its

(02:23):
high salinity thirteen grams per liter and elevated magnesium levels,
earning it the nickname the Little Sea of Puebla. Its
waters ranging from a soothing deep blue to a bright
emerald green shift with the seasons framed by the distant
Pico de Orizaba volcano and surrounded by stark, arid landscapes

(02:47):
that give the area an other worldly feel, as if
you've stepped onto an alien planet. This striking environment is
the perfect backdrop for the myths that have flourished among
the local commune unities of Tepea, Walco and nearby villages.
The lake's high salinity, unusual for an inland body of water,

(03:08):
has fueled speculation about its origins and connections to the sea.
Its isolation, coupled with strange natural phenomena and unique geological features,
has made it a magnet for tales of the supernatural.
For centuries, the people living near Alchichica have woven stories
that blend ancient indigenous beliefs, Spanish colonial influences, and modern mysteries,

(03:35):
each adding layers to the lake's enigmatic reputation. One of
the most enduring legends of lagunadal Chichika is that of
the silver Haired Siren, a figure straight out of a
fairy tale or a nightmare. According to local lore, On
nights when the full moon bathes the lake in silvery light.

(03:56):
A beautiful woman with long, shimmering hair emerges from the depths.
Her voice, a haunting melody, drifts across the water, luring
men to the lake's edge. Entranced by her other worldly beauty,
these men weighed into the cold, saline waters, following her
song into the abyss. They are never seen again. The

(04:18):
story warns that the Siren's call is irresistible, and her victims,
driven by a mix of love and madness, meet their
doom in the lake's unfathomable depths. This tale, passed down
through generations, bears striking similarities to siren myths found in
cultures worldwide, from the Greek Odyssey to Mesoamerican water deities

(04:42):
like chalcheatly Que, the Aztec goddess of lakes and streams.
It's also similar to the Central Mexican mermaid creature called
the Clanchana discussed in Mexico Unexplained, episode number forty seven.
Some speculate that the legend may have pre Hispanic roots,
tied to the lake's rumored use as a ceremonial site

(05:04):
where ancient cultures performed rituals, possibly including sacrifices. The siren's
silver hair and lunar connection evoke a mystical femininity, perhaps
a remnant of indigenous reverence for water as a life
giving yet dangerous force. Others suggest a more practical origin.
The lake's high salinity and cold temperatures make swimming treacherous,

(05:28):
especially at night, and drownings could have been explained through
the lens of this seductive, deadly figure. Another persistent legend
claims that Laguna de al Chichika has no bottom. The
lake is a watery abyss that stretches infinitely downward or,
in some versions, connects directly to the ocean. This belief

(05:50):
likely stems from the lake's high salinity, unusual for a
landlocked crater, leading locals to speculate that it must be
fed by an underground channel to the sea. Some even
say that objects dropped into the lake like coins or stones,
never reach the bottom, vanishing into a subterranean void. Science

(06:11):
offers a different perspective. Studies have measured the lake's depth
at approximately two hundred feet, with some divers reporting attempts
to reach deeper but being thwarted by strong currents or
disorienting conditions. The idea of a bottomless lake may be
a poetic exaggeration, but it's easy to see why it persists.

(06:33):
The lake's crystalline waters create optical illusions, making it hard
to gauge depth, and its isolation in a barren landscape
fuels the imagination. Jacques Cousteau, the famed French oceanographer, was
reportedly captivated by al Chichka's mysteries, though no definitive record

(06:54):
confirms his exploration of the lake. Still, the notion of
a secret oceanic connection adds to the lake's mystique, blending
geological curiosity with folklore. Perhaps the most modern and intriguing
phenomenon associated with Laguna del Chichika is its reputation as
a hotspot for UFO sidings. Locals and visitors alike have

(07:17):
reported seeing brilliant, multicolored spheres of light hovering above the
lake or plunging into its depths, only to vanish without
a trace. One chilling account comes from a man who,
while resting near the lake, heard an intense buzzing sound,
like a swarm of bees, growing louder until it became deafening.

(07:38):
Looking up, he saw a glowing object vibrating in the
sky before it dove into the center of the lake,
never to resurface. Don Eliseo Lecho Ventura Lopez, another local storyteller,
recounted tales of extra terrestrial spacecraft entering and exiting the lake,
describing them as charms that defy explanation. Some believe the

(08:03):
lake hides an underwater alien base, its saline waters and
remote location, providing a perfect cover for extraterrestrial activity. These
stories first appeared in the Mexican pulp Ufo Press in
the nineteen seventies and have gained traction in recent decades,
possibly influenced by global UFO fascination and the lake's eerie,

(08:27):
otherworldly appearance. The white coral like stramatolites ancient microbial structures
ringing the shore only enhance the sense that al Chichika
could be a portal to another world. Skeptics might argue
that mysterious lights seen in the lake are natural phenomena,
such as bioluminescent algae or reflections of stars on the

(08:52):
water's surface. The lake's high altitude over seven thousand, five
hundred feet above sea level and skies make it ideal
for stargazing, which could lead to misinterpretations of celestial objects.
Yet The consistency of these accounts spanning generations suggests something

(09:13):
more is at play, whether its atmospheric anomalies, psychological phenomena, or,
as some believe, visitors from beyond. Laguna de Alchichka is
home to unique microendemic species, including the Poblana Alchichka, a
type of silver side fish, and the Ambistoma tailory, a

(09:33):
rare axilot adapted to saline waters, both listed as threatened
or protected under Mexico's environmental laws, but local legends speak
of stranger creatures. There are stories of a shy, gigantic
axolot that suns itself on the lake's shores, far larger
than the typical Ambistoma tailory. This creature, described as elusive

(09:58):
and almost mythical, adds to the lake's reputation as a
haven for the unusual. Another tale involves giant worms or
serpentine creatures said to inhabit the depths. These could be
exaggerations of the lake's microbial life, particularly the cyanobacteria that

(10:18):
forms stromatolites, or perhaps misidentified aquatic organisms. The lake's unique ecosystem,
with its high salinity and alkaline conditions, supports life forms
found nowhere else, making it easy to see how ordinary
creatures could be transformed into monsters in the local imagination.

(10:40):
No discussion of Mexican folklore would be complete without mentioning Laurona,
the weeping woman whose cries haunt waterways across the country,
discussed in Mexico Unexplained, episode number two. Several eye witnesses
have recounted sightings of a spectral figure wandering the lake's shores,
her whales ex going in the night. This version of

(11:02):
Laurona may be a local adaptation, blending with the siren
legend to create a uniquely Alchichicken ghost story. The lake's
desolate setting and haunting beauty make it a fitting stage
for such tales, where the line between grief and the
supernatural feels razor thin. Beyond the myths, Laguna de Alchichica

(11:24):
harbours a scientific anomaly stromatolites, or more precisely, thrombolites, living
carbonated structures formed by cyanobacteria that date back thousands of years.
These so called living rocks are among the oldest forms
of life on Earth, resembling the microbial communities that helped

(11:45):
create our planet's oxygen rich atmosphere billions of years ago
at Alchichica. They form an almost continuous ring around the lake,
resembling white coral reefs in the saline water. Remark Arkably,
these stromatolites have drawn the attention of astrobiologists. Recent studies

(12:06):
noted similarities between al Chichika's microbial structures and formations allegedly
found on Mars, suggesting the lake could be a terrestrial
analog for ancient Martian water bodies. This connection has fueled
speculation that al Chichika is not just a window into
Earth's past, but a clue to life on other planets.

(12:30):
For locals, the stromatolite's eerie, porous forms only deep in
the lake's alien mystique, perhaps inspiring those Ufo tales. Despite
its allure, Laguna de al Chichika faces threats from over
extraction of groundwater and localized droughts, which have caused water

(12:50):
levels to drop dramatically by over two hundred million gallons
in a single year. According to some reports, the lake's
unique ecosystem, including its endemic species and stromatolites, is at risk,
prompting efforts to designate it and nearby Ashala Pascos as
protected areas. These conservation challenges add a layer of urgency

(13:14):
to the lake's story, reminding us that its mysteries could
be lost if not preserved. For those inspired to visit,
Laguna de al Chichika is accessible via Highway one forty
from Puebla to Halapa, near the town of Tepea, Hualco.
It's about a ninety minute drive from Puebla City or

(13:34):
three hours from Mexico City. Public transportation is limited, so
a private car or guided tour, often paired with a
visit to the nearby Cantona Ruins, is recommended. The lake
is ideal for hiking, photography, and picnics, though swimming is
discouraged due to the cold, sealine water. Visitors should respect

(13:57):
the fragile ecosystem, taking care not to disturb the stromata
lights or leave litter behind. As you stand on the
shores of al Chichika, surrounded by its unearthly beauty, it's
easy to feel the weight of its legends. Is the
sirens song still echoing in the moonlight? Are those lights

(14:17):
in the sky? Stars? Or something more? Does a giant
ax alautl lurk in the depths for Mexico Unexplained listeners,
Laguna de al Chichika is a place where science and
myth intertwine, inviting you to question, explore, and wonder. Whether
you come for the stories, the natural beauty or the
sheer spectacle, one thing is certain, this lake will leave

(14:40):
you spellbound. Thank you once again for listening to another
episode of Mexican Explained. Remember to like and subscribe to
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(15:02):
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the magic, the mysteries and the Miracles of Mexico. We
appreciate your kind attention. Once again, until next time, Thank you,
eh graciers.

Speaker 1 (15:20):
Thank you for listening to another episode of Mexico Unexplained
with host Robert Bito. For show summary, relevant links, and commentary,
please check out our website at Mexicouanexplained dot com. Like
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