Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Figure 1 - The Position of Mexico On The World Map
Figure 1 - The Position of Mexico On The World Map
INTRODUCTION
Earthquakes, as one of the most destructive natural phenomena, pose economic problems for
communities and governments. Despite the fact that the danger is well known, no one knows when
an earthquake will occur and how severe it will be.
However, the aim of this report is to carry out a bibliographical research on seismicity and seismic
hazard of Mexico, that have a long record and history related with earthquakes. The topic will be
limited to the analysis of two earthquakes, which occurred on the same date, September 19 but in
different years (1985 and 2017) and the effects that occurred in Mexico City, the damage to the
structures, human and economic losses, as well as the modifications to the regulations will be shown.
over the years, and the lessons learned from the earthquakes that occurred.
2.GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1.Geography
Mexico is located in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United
States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the
Caribbean Sea; and to the east by the Gulf of Mexico (Figure 1).
The Mexican territory is characterized by high seismic activity. It is located next to the Circum-Pacific
Belt and the Cocos, Rivera, Caribe, North American and Pacific tectonic plates (Figure 3), the site is rich
in geologic effects, particularly subduction (North American and Cocos Plates) and sliding (North
American and Pacific Plates). Furthermore, the high volcanic activity recorded in the last years is also
an important source of seismic activity (e.g., the Popocatepetl or Colima volcanoes).
2.2. Geology
The soil conditions of Mexico City are classified into three zones. In the seismic micro-zoning map (see
figure 4), it can be noted that the increase of wave vibrations depends on location.
In Zone I (grey), the soil presents high resistance and less compressibility, with interlayers of sand in a
cohesive condition; thus, the amplification of the seismic waves is reduced (hard rock).
In Zone II (yellow), the characterization of the soil is sandy and silty with interlayers of clay; it is called
the transition zone, with higher amplification waves effects than in Zone I. Finally, Zone III (green, dark
green, orange, red), which comprises the former Texcoco lake, is linked to soft highly compressive soils
(clays).
The soil type and its characteristics in Mexico city are going to be explained in table 1, they are also
related to the zones previously explained.