When the Earth Shakes: A Status Report on Dissertation Research Regarding Mexican Volcanoes
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Abstract
Situated above multiple tectonic plates, central Mexico and highland Guatemala often experience strong earthquakes and volcanic activity. During the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, this unpredictable topography shaped the human interactions with the natural environment. While indigenous populations in these regions were familiar with this terrain, Spanish colonists struggled to make sense of this volcanic topography upon their arrival. This field report provides an overview of 4 months of dissertation research completed during fall 2017 in Mexico City, Puebla, and Tetela del Volcán. This research occurred in the aftermath of a 7.1 earthquake, measured on the Moment Magnitude scale, that struck central Mexico 2 weeks after my arrival. This essay discusses the realities of living in post-earthquake Mexico and the archival research undertaken in each city. Preliminary findings reveal that knowledge concerning the volcanic topography influenced the outcome of property conflicts in favor of indigenous litigants. Research for this project will continue throughout 2018 in Spain and Guatemala.
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