Morphotectonic zones along the coast of the Pacific continental margin, southern Mexico

Geomorphic analysis, employing topographic, morphologic, geologic, and bath ymetric maps, and field studies show that the morphology of the southern co ast of Mexico can be linked to lateral variations in the geometry and tecto nism of the subduction zone. A reconnaissance study, based on the regional morphological characteristics and correlation with seismotectonic segments, regional tectonics and major bathymetric features, allows identification o f several morphotectonic zones along the coast of southern Mexico: (1) Jali sco zone, (2) Colima zone, (3) Michoacan zone, (4) Guerrero zone, (5) Oaxac a zone, and (6) Tehuantepec zone. A range of geomorphological evidence, inc luding marine terraces, river terraces, uplifted notches, and elevated wave -cut platforms, indicates local and regional uplift along the coast of the Jalisco, Michoacan, Guerrero and Oaxaca zones. Coasts of the Colima and Teh uantepec zones show morphological evidence of subsidence. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.