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Michoacán-Guanajuato   »  Summary

Michoacán-Guanajuato

Michoacán-Guanajuato Photo

Country:México
Subregion Name:México
Volcano Number:1401-06=
Volcano Type: Cinder cones
Volcano Status:Historical
Last Known Eruption: 1952 
Summit Elevation: 3860 m 12,664 feet
Latitude: 19.85°N * 19°51'0"N
Longitude: 101.75°W 101°45'0"W

The widespread Michoacán-Guanajuato volcanic field contains over 1400 vents, including the historically active cinder cones of Parícutin and Jorullo, covering a 200 x 250 km wide area of Michoacán and Guanajuato states in west-central México. Cinder cones are the predominant volcanic form, but small shield volcanoes, lava domes, maars and tuff rings (many in the Valle de Santiago area), and coneless lava flows are also present. The shield volcanoes are mostly Pleistocene in age, and have morphologies similar to small Icelandic-type shield volcanoes, although the Michoacán-Guanajuato shields have higher slope angles and smaller basal diameters. Jorullo, which was constructed in the 18th century, and Parícutin, which grew above a former cornfield during 1943-52, are the two best known of the roughly 1000 small volcanic centers scattered throughout the volcanic field.

Global Volcanism ProgramDepartment of Mineral SciencesNational Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian Institution

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