24 Undergraduate Research Posters
This poster session highlights geoscience research conducted and presented by undergraduate students. Abstracts must be written by students (but may include non-student co-authors). Research topics may include any area of the earth sciences.
Thursday, 23 April 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
LMH, 5th Floor Chapel
Structural interpretation using reflection seismic data to reevaluate the possible anthropogenic origin of the El Cuchillo seismic swarm, Northeast México, preliminary results
Paper number: 24-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:15 AM – 8:15 AM
Authors
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Diana Carmona-Díaz Presenting AuthorCentro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California
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Mario González-EscobarCentro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California
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Carlos Reyes-MartínezCentro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California
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Cristian Gallegos-CastilloCentro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California
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Jonathan Carrillo LópezCentro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California
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Luca FerrariUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, Querétaro
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Juan Montalvo-ArrietaUniversidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Linares, Nuevo León
Abstract
Intraplate seismicity in northeastern México challenges the notion that significant seismic hazard is restricted to plate boundaries. In this context, the El Cuchillo seismic swarm in Nuevo León (2013–2014) occurred within a transition zone between the Burgos Basin, the Tamaulipas Arch, and the Burro–Picachos Platform geological provinces, in a margin characterized by Jurassic rifting inheritance associated with the opening of the Gulf of Mexico and a Mesozoic–Cenozoic stratigraphic evolution. This study aims to reevaluate the recently proposed hypothesis of a possible anthropogenic origin, which links the NW–SE seismic alignment to hydrostatic load variations and pore pressure changes associated with the El Cuchillo–Solidaridad reservoir. To this end, we carried out an integrated geological–geophysical interpretation of 20 2D reflection seismic profiles, 1,945 gravity stations, and 5 exploratory wells.
We present preliminary results of the structural interpretation, including: (1) identification of four horizons corresponding to the tops of the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous Pimienta, Lower Tamaulipas, Upper Tamaulipas, and Agua Nueva formations; and (2) recognition of reverse faults in the seismic profiles. However, the faults interpreted to date are not consistent with the NW–SE epicentral distribution of the seismic sequence, suggesting the activation of different structures and/or the possible presence of deeper faults. Additionally, 2D and 3D models reveal NW–SE–trending antiform folds, interpreted as possible subsurface extensions of folds associated with the Sierra Papagayos, highlighting the importance of regional structural control on the localization of seismicity.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 3
doi: 10.1130/abs/2026CD-410875
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