Download 3. An overview of Mexico s physical geography.

Physical Geography of Mexico
Note how much of Mexico is rugged. You should associate this with
subduction.
Geological hazards largely result from subduction too.
See the subduction zone on the Pacific side of Mexico.
Some Landform Regions
Mesa Central
Valley of Mexico
Neo-Volcanic Axis
Sierra Madre Oriental
Sierra Madre Occidental
Southern Highlands
Yucatan Peninsula
Sierra Madre Oriental
Mesa
Central
Valley of Mexico
Sierra Madre
Occidental
Yucatan
Neo-Volcanic Axis
Southern Highlands
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.
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
Evidence of subsidence.
Water
Drain
Newspaper article about problems
associated with subsidence.
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.
Popocatepetl, as seen from above the Valley of Mexico
Elevation = 17,802 ft,
Iztaccíhuatl, as seen from above the Valley of Mexico
Highest elevation = 17,159 ft
Both volcanic mountains were formed by subduction.
Sierra Juarez in Oaxaca, a part of the Southern Highlands.
Sierra Juarez in Oaxaca, a part of the Southern Highlands. What’s he doing?
Rugged and arid landscape in Southern
Highlands.
Colonial town in Michoacan covered by lava in the
early 1900s. Volcanism caused by subduction.
Mangrove swamp, typically found on the Gulf Coast.
Pacific Coast beach in Oaxaca. Nice!
Shores of highland lake in
Michoacan.
In Mexico’s large area of arid climates
(Think STH) various species of cacti are
common.
A newspaper article
devoted to cacti.
Many cacti and other succulents, like this
maguey plant, were domesticated by preColumbian peoples.
The maguey was domesticated to make an
alcohol called mezcal.
Copan, Honduras
Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico
Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico
Note how both Copan and Monte Alban include ball courts.