Basaltic Prisms of Hidalgo

These Basaltic Prisms are made of igneous rock, known as prismatic basalt, formed into a fifty meters high vertical wall of gigantic columns, decorating the walls of a gully known as Alcholoya. These basaltic prisms were formed by the accelerated cooling of lava millions of years ago. They are at the waterfall formed by the San Antonio Dam, which falls through the prisms and into the river. This geologic phenomenon is unique in the whole continent.

Baron Alexander Von Humboldt, considered the father of modern geography, visited Mexico at the beginning of the 19th century. Impressed by the beauty of these prisms, he made sketches of this formation in 1803; now exhibited in the Museum of British Art, in London.

The prisms are found five kilometers to the northeast of the “magical town” of Huasca de Ocampo, in the state of Hidalgo, near the former estate of Santa María Regla. In addition to witnessing the majestic display of these beautiful prisms, visitors enjoy the Basaltic Prisms Vacation Center that has been created in the surrounding area, where they can take a refreshing swim, play football, basketball and volleyball in its courts, horseback ride, camp, take boat rides through the San Antonio dam and play in the children’s area. Its shops sell crafts made of clay, obsidian, wood and wool textiles and offer delicious typical barbacoa tacos and pulque bread.

Artículo Producido por el Equipo Editorial Explorando México.
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Foto: Orni27