UNAM Specialists say that in future years it could become an island that moves to the northwest, separating from the mainland of Mexico
Researchers and academics have detected that the Baja California peninsula moves up to four or five centimeters per year to the northwest concerning the mainland. Its movement is such that when the Spanish arrived in the New World, Baja California was 24 meters further south.
Thierry Calmus, from the Northwest Regional Station (ERNO) of the Geology Institute (IGL) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), explains that the Baja California peninsula has had constant deformations and displacements observed by geologists.
If the four centimeters are multiplied by a million years, it is feasible to conclude that the displacement within that period will be 40 kilometers. Likewise, “it can be calculated that when the Spanish arrived in our country,” explains the IGL.
Why is the Baja California Peninsula moving?
Calmus says that the peninsula is a “living geological entity,” but it is not perceptible to humans because its movement is quite slow and gradual. This movement will be noticeable in a million years, which will modify the map of the territory of Mexico if it still exists as such at that time.
It is worth mentioning that it is impossible to predict how much and when the peninsula will move, but the displacement can be measured and at what annual speed.
Technology has been vital to detect this gradual displacement, because thanks to devices such as GPS and previously a laser, it has allowed the measurement of the displacement distances of Baja California, which have even been quite precise.
Seismic activity in Baja California
The Gulf of California fault influences this displacement; it has existed for approximately six million years and there is no plan for it to cease to exist. It is worth mentioning that it constantly causes multiple earthquakes in the region.
Small earthquakes are a phenomenon that can be superficial or deep, but they are very punctual and are part of the recorded displacement of continental blocks, one with respect to the other
Explained researcher Thierry Calmus.
Source: OEM
