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Explain why Mexico city is particularly vulnerable to seismic and volcanic activity
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Mexico City is located in a region of high seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the interaction of three tectonic plates (North American, Cocos, and Pacific).
The city is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains that trap pollutants and cause air pollution. The valley in which Mexico City was built was once a lake, and the soft soil beneath the metropolitan area amplifies the shaking caused by seismic waves.
Additionally, the city’s rapid population growth has led to the construction of new buildings on unstable ground, such as the former lakebed, or on land that has been artificially filled in. Many of these buildings were not designed to withstand strong earthquakes.
Mexico City is also located near several active volcanoes, including Popocatépetl, which has erupted several times in recent years. The high population density in Mexico City puts millions of people at risk in the event of a volcanic eruption.
Overall, these factors make Mexico City particularly vulnerable to seismic and volcanic activity, and it is important for the city to have robust disaster preparedness plans in place to mitigate the potential risks.