Geomorphology of Cozumel Island, Quintana Roo, Mexico | Geomorfología de la isla de Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México

Inglés. Cozumel Island, located in Quintana Roo, southeastern Mexico, is a unique geological formation extending over approximately 478 square kilometers in the Caribbean Sea. The island is about 20 kilometers off the mainland between the Cozumel Channel and the Caribbean Sea. It is home to an urban population of around 100,000 people, with a population density of approximately 40.6 inhabitants per square kilometer, mainly in the northwest of the island. The geomorphology of Cozumel is predominantly sedimentary, which has resulted from a complex interaction between tectonic and lithological processes. The relief is characterized by a series of karst depressions — geological formations created by the dissolution of limestone rock as a result of the action of water. These depressions are mainly concentrated in the central part of the island and appear as cenotes, dolines, and sinkholes. The surface of Cozumel has been shaped by these processes, and the combination of geological and climatic factors has resulted in a varied and distinctive landscape. Regarding its geological origin, Cozumel Island is linked to the tectonic evolution of the border of the Caribbean, North, and South American plates. During the Mesozoic, particularly in the Late Cretaceous, the region that includes Cozumel underwent major tectonic events that led to the formation of the Caribbean Plate. This plate collided with those of North and South America, leading to the emergence of the Yucatan Peninsula-Cuba Island Arc. In the Eocene, changes in the dynamics of the Caribbean protoplate and the formation of the Yucatan-Cuba Arc established the tectonic boundaries that still influence the geological configuration of the island. These rifting processes, combined with fluctuations in sea level during the Oligocene and Quaternary, have played a central role in the evolution of Cozumel's landscape. Changes in sea level, for example, have led to the formation of reef platforms and false atolls, which are common features in the Caribbean region. Geomorphological research of Cozumel has been crucial to understanding the development of its karst relief. As the lack of detailed mapping has been a major limitation, this study aims to fill that gap by providing an inventory of the island's landforms. To this end, LiDAR altimetry data, satellite imagery, and field verification were used. LiDAR, a laser-based technology that measures the distance between the sensor and the Earth's surface, allowed the production of a high-accuracy digital terrain model. Satellite imagery provided a global view of geomorphological features, while field observations validated and refined the data obtained using the other methods. The resulting detailed analysis revealed a variety of geomorphological forms on the island, including reef ridges, calcareous platforms, terraces, and coastal lagoons. The central reef ridge, located in the S-SW region of Cozumel, has a high density of karst forms and a triangular morphology that has been partially eroded over time. This characteristic indicates the prolonged effect of the erosive, dissolution, and depositional processes that have shaped the relief of the island. Cozumel's calcareous and marginal platforms are associated with fluctuations in sea level and marine deposits that appeared during periods of high tectonic activity and climate change. The characteristics of these platforms are similar to those of atolls and banks in other Caribbean regions, such as the Glover and Turneffe banks in Belize and Chinchorro in Mexico. The terraces and floodplains on the island are areas exposed to tidal fluctuations and extreme weather events, which contribute to the formation of a varied geomorphological landscape. The study of Cozumel has also enabled the identification of the relationship between landforms and the processes that have formed them. This detailed understanding is essential for planning and managing the island's natural resources and preserving its unique environment. The resulting geomorphological cartography provides a solid foundation for future studies and environmental management strategies, offering a clear view of the distribution and characteristics of landforms in Cozumel.

Español; castellano. La isla de Cozumel, ubicada al sureste de México, en el Mar Caribe, presenta un paisaje sedimentario complejo y único. Este territorio insular de 482 km² se caracteriza por depresiones kársticas, vestigios arrecifales emergidos y lagunas costeras. La investigación se centra en la elaboración cartografía geomorfológica detallada, destacando la importancia de comprender la tectónica y factores climáticos que influyen en su paisaje y dinámica kárstica. La evolución geológica de Cozumel se remonta al Mesozoico, con procesos asociados al rifting. El Cretácico Superior y el Paleoceno son fases cruciales en la formación de la Placa del Caribe. Durante el Eoceno, la isla experimentó movimientos tectónicos complejos, ascendiendo gradualmente como un bloque de compresión. La fluctuación del nivel del mar desde el Oligoceno hasta el Cuaternario y la movilidad de bloques de compresión permitieron la formación de falsos atolones y bancos de carbonato, formando el Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano. La metodología de la investigación involucró la adquisición de datos LiDAR, imágenes satelitales y validación en campo. El mapa geomorfológico final destaca la complejidad del relieve de Cozumel, que incluye crestas arrecifales, plataformas, terrazas, lagunas costeras y minas a cielo abierto. De igual manera, se hace una tipología del litoral, identificando plataformas de abrasión, acantilados, costas arenosas y con bloques de tormenta. La investigación no solo proporciona una herramienta cartográfica valiosa para la gestión del territorio, estudios ambientales y la comprensión de la evolución geológica y geomorfológica de Cozumel, sino también aporta una metodología que conjuga el uso de nuevas tecnologías con métodos tradicionales.