Written in SCIENCE he
The Mexico Citypresents a complex geologywhich can generate seismic phenomena. Learn the most relevant information about this discovery that is important to better understand the recent microseisms in the CDMX.
Recently, researchers from the Engineering Institute (II) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have discovered a geological fault in the Plateros-Mixcoac areawhich could be the cause of the microseisms registered in the capital of the country.
From December 3, 2023 to January 10, 2024, 23 have been reported seismic events in the Magdalena Contreras and Álvaro Obregón municipalities, with magnitudes ranging between 1.1 and 3.2 on the Richter scale.
Aware of the seriousness of the situation, the Seismological Engineering Coordination and the Instrumentation Unit Seismic of II have implemented an intensive monitoring system. This system includes 15 recording stations with sensors to measure speed and acceleration, which has allowed a better understanding of the activity seismic in the zone.
The monitoring network has been recording continuously from December 2023 to February 2024, which has made it possible to specify the epicenters of the seismic movements reported by the Service Seismological National. This record has revealed the existence of a “crack” with a length slightly greater than a kilometer that uninterruptedly crosses the Mixcoac areaconfirmed by permanent deformations in the ground.
What are the areas covered by the geological fault?
According to researchers at the Engineering Institute of the UNAMthe geologic fault extends from the west of Peripheral Ring to Revolución Avenuecovering a distance of approximately 300 meters to the east.
According to what can be seen on the surface, the failure is only a visible manifestation, so various instruments are used to examine the entire area. Currently, its depth is also being investigated.
What is the reason for the microearthquakes in CDMX?
As for the reason behind these earthquakes, it is thought that the reactivation of this fault, called Plateros-Mixcoac, is a consequence of the accumulation of tension in the region. Furthermore, it is possibly influenced by the sinking of the Mexico’s valley and the recharge of the aquifer in the Sierra de las Cruces, which supplies water to the metropolitan area.
Although no growth has been observed in the failure during the period studied, more research is required to fully understand their behavior and its impact on others microseisms of Mexico City.