The Broadband Seismological Network of Veracruz, Mexico: Toward a Regional Seismotectonic Interpretation

During the last century, earthquakes caused severe damage in Veracruz state, both in loss of life and property. The south-central zone of this entity, located along the Gulf of Mexico of this similar to 750 km long entity, is of vital importance due to its population and industrial, port, and highway infrastructure. As has been observed in the past, this area is mainly exposed to shallow and deep seismicity, in addition to its geological conditions that increase the potential (seismic) hazard. The same area also faces important volcanic hazards. Only two broadband seismological stations in Veracruz, installed by the Mexican Servicio National (SSN, National Seismological Service), have been operating until 2012; therefore details of the seismicity had been unknown. In 2013, the University of Veracruz (UV, Universidad Veracruzana), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico), and Civil Protection authorities of Veracruz (SPC-VER) set up and started operating six broadband seismological stations, whose distribution was designed to complement the already existing coverage of Veracruz and neighboring states. The primary purposes of this seismological network include permanent real-time seismic and volcanic monitoring, the carrying out of several studies that allow a better seismotectonic understanding and the contribution to the seismic hazard evaluation.