Abstract

MENDOZA, Manuel  and  ORTIZ PEREZ, Mario Arturo. Geomorphological characterization of the continental shelf and slope of Campeche-Yucatán, Mexico. Invest. Geog [online]. 2000, n.43, pp.7-31. ISSN 2448-7279.

This paper uses cartographic and terrestrial geomorphologie techniques linked to marine geologic techniques in order to analyze morphological features of the continental margin in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. The cartographic-geomorphological analysis integrates information from components of the underwater landscape and was carried out through a Geographical Information System (GIS). Isobaths from three different bathymetrie charts, scale 1:200 000, were digitized and interpolated. About 7 000 bathymetrie records located in the Campeche-Yucatán continental shelf were interpolated for areas without cartographic references. Finally, a map at a 1:250 000 scale was obtained. Based on this map, morphometric charts (slopes and hypsometric) and Land Digital Models (LDM) were obtained. These, along with ecograms produced during cruises in the study area, allowed to define a tensional techtonic style showed in the resulting cartography. Five major and seven secondary morphogenetic units were identified in the Southern portion of the Gulf of Mexico.

Keywords : Underwater geomorphology; Geographic Information Systems; land digital model; cartographic-geomorphological analysis; continental platform and slope; Mexico.