Pico de Orizaba

Mexico


SUMMARY:

Type: composite cone
Activity: dormant
Last Eruption: 1687 AD
Rock Type: ?
Eruptive Volume: ? cu km
Location Map from Xerox PARC
Latitude: 19.03 N
Longitude: 97.28 W


Geologic Background:

Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltepetl, is a stratovolcano that rises to 5,610 m elevation. It is located in S-central Mexico, 120 km W-WSW of the coastal city of Veracruz and 40 km ESE of San Salvador El Seco. Carbon-14 data reveal 5 strong eruptions between 3400 and 9400 BP.

Historic Activity:

  • Seven eruptions from Pico de Orizaba were documented during the 16th and 17th centuries, but none have been reported since explosive activity in 1687.

Recent Activity:

  • Four days of seismic monitoring recorded very little activity in October 1992. No fumarolic activity was observed and crater morphology has remained unchanged since the teams initial observation in 1989. Monitoring program will continue.

Data Sources:

  • Global Volcanism Network (V. 17, No. 11 and V. 19, No. 4).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Last Update: 12/19/00