Subsurface fire and subsidence at Valle del Potosí (Nuevo León, Mexico): Preliminary observations

Resumen

Since the last three
decades, Valle del Potosí basin (western part of Nuevo León) has
been experiencing subsurface fire and subsidence. Preliminary field
observations relate the subsurface fire to smoldering of a peat
layer at 200-280 cm depth. Subsidence was caused by the associated
volume reduction as a result of peat burning. We hereby present the
chemical composition of the peat layer and report about the possible
reasons of subsurface fire and subsidence.