ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Geology of Puerto Rico

Okay kiddo, let me tell you all about the geology of Puerto Rico in a way that's easy to understand!

Puerto Rico is an island located in the Caribbean Sea. It was formed a long, long time ago by a process called plate tectonics. That's the name for the way the Earth's surface is made up of different plates that move around over time.

When two of those plates, called the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate, meet each other, it causes a lot of movement and pressure. This movement can lead to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which can shape the land over time.

In Puerto Rico, there are a lot of mountains and valleys that were formed by this movement. The highest peak in Puerto Rico is called Cerro de Punta, and it's over 4,000 feet tall!

Another important thing to know about the geology of Puerto Rico is that it's surrounded by water. That means that there are also beaches and coral reefs all around the island. These are made up of shells and other tiny organisms that build up over time.

So, to sum it all up, the geology of Puerto Rico is shaped by plate tectonics, which cause earthquakes and volcanic activity. This has created mountains and valleys on the island. And, because Puerto Rico is surrounded by water, there are also beaches and coral reefs. Cool, huh?
Related topics others have asked about: