1. Physical Geography of Mexico

2. Note how much of Mexico is rugged
Note how much of Mexico is rugged. You should associate this with subduction.

3. Geological hazards largely result from subduction too.

4. See the subduction zone on the Pacific side of Mexico.

5. Some Landform Regions Mesa Central Valley of Mexico Neo-Volcanic Axis
Sierra Madre Oriental
Sierra Madre Occidental
Southern Highlands
Yucatan Peninsula

6. Sierra Madre Occidental
Sierra Madre Oriental
Mesa
Central
Valley of Mexico
Sierra Madre Occidental
Yucatan
Neo-Volcanic Axis
Southern Highlands

7. This is the Valley of Mexico, which is at the southern end of the Mesa Central. This painting shows the lake-filled valley at the height of the Aztec, or Mexica, civilization.

8. This monument is in the zocalo, or central plaza, in Mexico City
This monument is in the zocalo, or central plaza, in Mexico City. Mexico City was built from the ruins of Tenochtitlan, which was an island in Lake Texcoco. In the almost 500 years since the arrival of the Spaniards, the surface of Mexico City has sunk causing major problems.
Floor of the plaza of Tenochtitlan.
Bottom of Lake Texcoco in 1881

9. Evidence of subsidence.

10. Water
Drain

11. Newspaper article about problems associated with subsidence.

13. Although the Valley of Mexico was a beautiful site, it cannot easily sustain 20 million people. Subsidence is caused by the settling of the soft lake sediments on which the city was built. Also as people pump more ground water, subsidence is exacerbated.

14. Popocatepetl, as seen from above the Valley of Mexico Elevation = 17,802 ft,

15. Both volcanic mountains were formed by subduction.
Iztaccíhuatl, as seen from above the Valley of Mexico Highest elevation = 17,159 ft
Both volcanic mountains were formed by subduction.

16. Sierra Juarez in Oaxaca, a part of the Southern Highlands.

18. Sierra Juarez in Oaxaca, a part of the Southern Highlands
Sierra Juarez in Oaxaca, a part of the Southern Highlands. What’s he doing?

19. Rugged and arid landscape in Southern Highlands.

20. San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacan covered by lava in the early 1900s
San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacan covered by lava in the early 1900s. Volcanism caused by subduction.

21. Mangrove swamp, typically found on the Gulf Coast.

22. Pacific Coast beach in Oaxaca. Nice!

23. Shores of Lake Patzcuaro in Michoacan.

24. In Mexico’s large area of arid climates (Think STH) various species of cacti are common.

25. A newspaper article devoted to cacti.

26. Many cacti and other succulents, like this maguey plant, were domesticated by pre-Columbian peoples.

27. The maguey was domesticated to make an alcohol called mezcal.

28. Copan, Honduras

29. Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico

30. Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico
Note how both Copan and Monte Alban include ball courts.