Colima Eruptions and Evacuations Are a Reminder That Mexico Is a Land of Volcanoes Hugo Delgado Granados - The Conversation
go to original October 6, 2016

Mexico’s Colima Volcano increased its activity on Friday, September 30, 2016, forcing the evacuation of several nearby communities. (Geology Page)

On September 30, Mexico’s Colima volcano – the most active volcano in the country – became restless again, with lava spilling over the flanks of the mountain, numerous hot, small pyroclastic flows, and sulfuric gases spewing from the crater.

In the days that followed, a plume of ash that rose 2,000 meters into the air could be seen from as far as 30 kilometers away. As a prevention measure, local authorities evacuated some 350 people from several villages west-northwest of the volcano, clearing out the path of its blowing ash trail.

Scientists from the Universidad de Colima continue to monitor the Colima volcano. If the eruption worsens, greater measures – such as evacuation of more villages and towns, as well as closure of nearby facilities such as airports – will become necessary.

Mexico is a land of volcanoes. Volcanic rocks cover a third of its territory, and 16 volcanoes are considered to be currently active in the country, meaning they have erupted some time in the last 10,000 years.

That’s a relatively small figure compared to the total number of volcanoes in the country, but significant in terms of the population at risk. Countries with a larger number of volcanoes within their territories, include Indonesia, Japan and Chile. And in those places, geodynamic characteristics such as a faster subduction rate – the pace at which tectonic plates are moving - makes the volcanoes prone to erupt more often, with a higher frequency of small eruptions.

In the case of countries such as Mexico, where plate convergence is less active, volcanoes have longer repose periods. But once they wake up, Mexican volcanoes may be quite risky.

Read the rest at The Conversation

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!