Crustal thickness, heat flow, arc magmatism, and tectonics of Mexico - preliminary report.

Abstract

Preliminary crustal thickness and heat flow maps of Mexico are presented. Isopachs roughly follow the coastline of the W margin and the shape of the Gulf of Mexico in the E. Crust is thicker (= or > 40km) beneath the central-S portion of the Altiplano and the central-E portion of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Heat flow is generally higher than 1.5 HFU, except for the Precambrian Paleozoic terranes of S Mexico and the N portion of the Gulf of Mexico plain (approx 1HFU). High heat flow (>2HFU) is observed in the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which represent Mesozoic-early Cenozoic and Late Cenozoic magmatic arcs, respectively. -Authors