Unlocking the Mysteries of Belize’s Geology: Your Complete Guide

February 3, 2023
by belizehubstaff +

Belize is a small country, but it has a mixed topography that includes coastlines, mountains, forests, marshlands, and jungles. If you’re a rockhound looking for stones or just curious about Belize’s topography, here’s a primer.

Where Belize Sits Geologically

Belize is at the junction of the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. These are slabs of the earth’s crust that slid past each other over the past 80 million years.

Two Distinct Regions

Belize has two diverse topographic regions. One region runs from the northern lowlands to the southern coastal plain. The coastline is flat, swampy, and fed by many lagoons, rivers, and streams. As you head west, the landscape changes from a mangrove swamp to a tropical jungle to a pine forest.

The second region is marked by the Maya Mountains and their valleys, basins, and plateaus. Marked by forested highlands that include pine forests, these take up most of Belize’s western and southern regions.

Inland Region

Belize is around 14,300 square miles in size. However, the many lagoons, rivers, and other water sources reduce the amount of actual land area. Two major rivers, the Hondo and the Sarstoon divide the country into its southern and northern boundaries.

Coastline and Belize Barrier Reef

Belize’s coastline is mostly marshy. Limestone is the major stone you will find in Belize. It’s the primary stone in coastal areas, reefs, and atolls.

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Maya Mountains

The Maya Mountains are largely Cretaceous limestone. They have what is known as karst topography, which means it has large numbers of subterranean limestone caverns, sinkholes, and overhanging cliffs. These give the mountains their uniquely mysterious look. It’s no wonder the ancient Maya used these caves and sinkholes for their sacred ceremonies.

The region around the mountains features basins and plateaus all the way to the narrow coastal area of the Placencia Peninsula. The mountains reach a peak height of around 3,600 feet. The Cockscomb Range, a spur of the Maya Mountains, includes Victoria Peak, one of the highest mountains in Belize. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Refuge is at the eastern end of the range and occupies about 150 square miles.

Does Belize Have Mines?

Belize mines lead, zinc, silver, copper, and barium-barite. However, it is not a major exporter of these minerals. The deposits are too small to be commercially viable.