Chicxulub crater
Yaxcopoil was the site of the borehole Yaxcopoil-1, drilled in 2001 and 2002 by the Chicxulub Scientific Drilling Project (CSDP). A multinational research team drilled to a depth of 1511 meters to research the impact and implications of the meteor which struck the earth on the Yucatán Peninsula 66 million years ago and created the Chicxulub crater. The first project to deep-drill and core into one of the largest and well-preserved terrestrial impact structures was executed in the Chicxulub crater in Mexico using integrated coring sampling and in-situ measurements. The combined use of different techniques allows a three-dimensional insight and a better understanding of impact processes. The project cost $1.5 million USD and was led by UNAM, the University Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. The borehole has been used subsequently for testing of the Yucatán's freshwater aquifer.