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Seismicity of the Earth 1900-2010 Mexico and vicinity

Open-File Report 2010-1083-F
Prepared in cooperation with Institute of Earth Sciences, CSIC, Barcelona, Spain and Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
By: , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20101083F

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Abstract

Mexico, located in one of the world's most seismically active regions, lies on three large tectonic plates: the North American plate, Pacific plate, and Cocos plate. The relative motion of these tectonic plates causes frequent earthquakes and active volcanism and mountain building. Mexico's most seismically active region is in southern Mexico where the Cocos plate is subducting northwestward beneath Mexico creating the deep Middle America trench. The Gulf of California, which extends from approximately the northern terminus of the Middle America trench to the U.S.-Mexico border, overlies the plate boundary between the Pacific and North American plates where the Pacific plate is moving northwestward relative to the North American plate. This region of transform faulting is the southern extension of the well-known San Andreas Fault system.

Suggested Citation

Rhea, S., Dart, R.L., Villasenor, A.H., Hayes, G., Tarr, A.C., Furlong, K.P., and Benz, H.M., 2011, Seismicity of the Earth 1900-2010 Mexico and vicinity: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2010-1083, 1 Map Sheet: 35.02 x 23.02 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20101083F.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Seismicity of the Earth 1900-2010 Mexico and vicinity
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2010-1083
Chapter F
DOI 10.3133/ofr20101083F
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description 1 Map Sheet: 35.02 x 23.02 inches
Country Mexico
Projection Universal Transverse Mercator
Scale 8000000
Additional publication details