Cerro Prieto facts for kids

Cerro Prieto is a special volcano in Mexico. It is located about 29 kilometers (18 miles) south of Mexicali in the state of Baja California. Its name means "Black Hill" in English.

This volcano is not like the ones that erupt with lava and ash. Instead, it is known for its powerful heat deep underground. This heat is used to make electricity for homes and businesses.

Cerro Prieto Volcano

Cerro Prieto is a volcano that sits on a place where the Earth's crust is slowly pulling apart. This area is part of a larger system called the East Pacific Rise. This system runs along the length of the Gulf of California. It is slowly moving the Baja California Peninsula away from the main part of Mexico.

How the Earth Moves Here

Imagine the Earth's surface as a giant puzzle made of huge pieces. These pieces are called tectonic plates. At Cerro Prieto, two of these plates are moving away from each other. This movement creates a "spreading center." It's like a seam where new crust is being formed.

This spreading center is connected to two large transform faults. These are cracks in the Earth's crust where plates slide past each other. The Imperial Fault is to the north, and the Cerro Prieto Fault is to the south. These faults help show how the land is slowly shifting over time.

Power from the Earth

Because the Earth's crust is pulling apart at Cerro Prieto, a lot of heat comes up from deep underground. This creates a large geothermal field. A geothermal field is an area where hot water and steam are found beneath the surface.

People have learned to use this natural heat to make electricity. The Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Station uses the hot water and steam from underground. This steam spins large turbines, which then create electric power. It's a clean and renewable way to get energy.

See also

In Spanish: Cerro Prieto para niños