1.

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).

Figure 1 - The position of Mexico on the world map

 SEISMICITY AND SEISMIC HAZARD OF MEXICO

Figure 2 - The location of Mexico City

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).

Figure 3 - The tectonic map of Mexico

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 SEISMICITY AND SEISMIC HAZARD OF MEXICO

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).

Figure 4 - Seismic Zonation of Mexico City

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 SEISMICITY AND SEISMIC HAZARD OF MEXICO

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.

Table 1 - Characteristic of the seismic zonation (Marsal and Mazari, 1959)

Zone Soil characteristics

I (Hill) Formed by rocks or hard soils that were generally

deposited outside the lake area, but where sandy
deposits in relatively loose state or soft clays can
also be found. In this area, cavities in rocks, sand
mines caves and tunnels as well as uncontrolled
landfills are common.

II (Transition) Deep firm deposits are found at a depth of 20 m

or less, and consist predominantly of sand and
silt layers interbedded with lacustrine clay layers.
The thickness of clay layers is variable between a
few tens of centimeters and meters.

III (Lake) Composed of potent deposits of highly

compressible clay strata separated by sand
layers with varying content of silt or clay. These
sandy layers are firm to hard, their thickness
varies from a few centimeters to several meters.
The lacustrine deposits are often covered
superficially by alluvial soils, dried materials and
artificial fill materials, the thickness of this
package can exceed 50 m.

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