Gravity and seismicity analyses of the El Chichon volcano,Chiapas, Mexico

Subduction induced compressional stress, lateral displacement faults probably linked to the NW extension of the Polochic-Motagua fault system, and local magma emplacement create a complex geological setting for the El Chichon volcano.Gravity analysis reveals that the principal structures in the area correspond to synclines and anticlines. Downward continuation of the gravity field suggests the presence of magma emplacement SE of the volcano. This magmatic emplacement appears to be the principal cause of the truncation of the syncline in which the volcano lies.Analyses of earthquakes occurring after eruptions show that the vertical distribution of events is confined to a roughly cylindrical zone which correlates well with the region of magmatic emplacement inferred from the gravity analysis.Even though more than 350 km separate the volcano from the Middle American trench, the compressional stress regime reported for the area may correlate with subduction stress (N30°E). However, the strike direction for the principal faults in the zone, N60°W, permits us to postulate that the NW extension of the Polochic-Motagua fault system is implicated in the local tectonics of the El Chichon area.