Mexico on the Plate Tectonic Map

In this week's chapter, we were introduced to plate tectonics and the internal structure of Earth.

The term tectonics, refers to large-scale geologic processes that deform Earth's lithosphere, producing landforms such as ocean basins, continents, and mountains (Natural Hazards, Keller, DeVecchio). 

The lithosphere is broken into larger pieces called tectonic plates (Natural Hazards, Keller, DeVecchio). 

Mexico is located on one of Earth's subduction zones. The ocean floor of the Cocos Plate is forcing its' way down "subducting" beneath the edge of the North American Plate.

    

The North American Plate is classified as convergent (subduction) boundary. Convergent boundaries occur where plates move toward each other (Natural Hazards, Keller, DeVecchio). In this case,  Mexico's convergent plate is oceanic-continental. The higher-density plate subducts into the mantle beneath the leading edge of the continental plate (Natural Hazards, Keller, DeVecchio). 

Subduction zones are prone to large earthquakes since the two-plates grind up against each other. , the lower plates pulls the upper plate down with it, building up stress. When the stress builds to the breaking point, the upper plate breaks free and springs back into place. This then results in earthquakes and even at times tsunamis. Subduction zones also often have a chain of volcanoes, called a volcanic arch. A volcanic arch is produced when the oceanic crust of the subducting plate reaches a high enough temperature and pressure to go through a process called metamorphism, releasing water which triggers melting of the mantle (tectonics.caltech.edu) Other natural hazards can include volcanic eruptions, flooding, mass wasting, and subsidence.