Abstract
Volcan Popocatepetl, which lies 70 km southeast of Mexico City, is one of the most famous andesite composite volcanoes in the world. With 5,450 m of elevation, it is the second highest peak of Mexico. Located 320 km north of the Middle America Trench, at the centre of the Mexican Volcanic Belt, Volcano Popocatepetl forms the southern active part of a northsouth volcanic complex, the northern part consisting of the eroded Volcano Iztaccihuatl.
Since its earliest reported eruption in 1519, Volcano Popocatepetl has had a continuous fumarolic activity in its crater, and in frequent small eruptions (1720, 1802–1804, 1920). In contrast with this light activity, C14 data indicate pre-historical cycles of intense volcanism with paroxysmal pyroclastic eruptions (ash and pumice-flows) alternating with effusive phases and plinian air-fall deposits.
The results of a volcanological study and the petrological characteristics of the main volcanic units show that Volcano Popocatepetl is composed of a primitive composite-volcano on which a recent summit cone is superimposed. It has been built during 2 very dissimilar volcanic periods linked by a transitional phase.
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Robin, C. Le Volcan Popocatepetl (Mexique): structure, evolution pétrologique et risques. Bull Volcanol 47, 1–23 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01960537
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01960537