Mexico's Flat Slab Fault (IMAGE) University of Oregon Caption Map shows earthquake epicenters (surrounded in light red) offshore where the Cocos and North American tectonic plates meet. The newer fault zone is inland, the black lines mark the changing trajectories of abyssal hills atop the descending Cocos Plate. Blue-shaded areas in this zone are where subduction angles remain steep. The pink area, below Mexico City, is a transition zone where another earthquake could occur. The 2017, 1999 and 1980 quake epicenters are in a red-shaded zone to the southeast that is considered to be at most risk for quakes. Credit Courtesy of Diego Melgar Usage Restrictions Use credit line License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.