Lago de Atitlán
Central America's deepest lake is actually an volcanic caldera, surrounded by three volcanoes.Although it is recognized as Central America's deepest lake (estimated at over 340 meters), Atitlán is so deep it has yet to be properly sounded. It is the result of a massive volcanic explosion 84000 years ago, known as the Los Chocoyos eruption.
It is surrounded by three volcanoes, Volcan Atitlán, Volcán San Pedro and Volcán Tolimán. In addition, a forth volcano, Fuego can often be seen smoking on the horizon.
The communities surrounding the lake are still home to vibrant Mayan communities.
Aldous Huxley famously wrote of it: "Lake Como, it seems to me, touches on the limit of permissibly picturesque, but Atitlán is Como with additional embellishments of several immense volcanoes. It really is too much of a good thing."
Read more about Lago de Atitlán on Atlas Obscura...
Category: Watery Wonders, Fiery Wonders, Geological Oddities
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Edited by: Michael Peters, Annetta, Rachel