Geothermal and related volcanological and tectonic research in México

Abstract

Mexico has a large geothermal potential on the continental mainland as well as offshore. The installed capacity for power generation from high-enthalpy hydrothermal systems amounts at present to 700 MWe. One of the two most important geothermal provinces is associated with the junction of the continental Gulf of California spreading system with the San Andreas transform-fault system. The other is associated with the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). The TMVB crosses Mexico approximately between 19° and 21 o north latitude. It comprises most of the historic and present-day volcanic activity in Mexico: dacitic-andesitic strato-volcanoes, cinder-cone fields, isolated occurrences of rhyolitic volcanism, and major silicic centers. A large geothermal potential is closely related to this volcanic activity. Indeed the TMVB contains most of the developed or promising hydrothermal areas: Los Humeros, Los Azufres, Araro, Ixthin de Los Hervores-Los Negritos, La Soledad, La Primavera and El Ceboruco. The well-known geothermal field of Cerro Prieto is located in the Baja California province.