The Puerto Rico Trench

As its name suggests, the Puerto Rico Trench can be found in the Atlantic Ocean just north of the island of Puerto Rico. This trench is a result of the movement of several of Earth's tectonic plates in the area, primarily the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate. Once, millions of years ago, there was volcanic activity along this trench. While that danger is no longer a problem, Puerto Rico and surrounding islands are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. In this volume, readers will explore the Puerto Rico Trench, see what scientists have seen, and find out how seismic activity has affected this area of the world. Readers will be drawn in by colorful maps, photographs, and primary sources.