Jocotitlan
Stratovolcano in Mexico
Key Facts
Elevation
3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
19.730°, -99.758°
Region
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Dacite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Jocotitlán is an isolated composite volcano that rises above the Toluca basin 60 km WNW of Mexico City. The volcano was constructed during the Pleistocene of andesitic-to-dacitic lava flows. A major obsidian-bearing dacitic Plinian eruption was followed by the emplacement of a dacitic lava-dome complex, accompanied by lava effusion, pumice-fall eruptions, and pyroclastic surges.
The most prominent feature is a horseshoe-shaped escarpment open to the NE that formed as a result of gravitational failure of the summit during the early Holocene. The resulting debris-avalanche deposit covers an 80 km2 area to the NE. Lava dome emplacement accompanied by pyroclastic flows and surges subsequently filled much of the avalanche scarp.
The latest known eruption occurred about 700 years ago and produced block-and-ash flows and pyroclastic surges.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 756 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 341062
- •Evidence: Eruption Dated
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Jocotitlán rises above the Toluca basin and is seen here from the NW. This side of the edifice has a horseshoe-shaped escarpment that formed as a result of gravitational failure of the summit during the early Holocene. The conical hills of Cerro San Miguel (left) and Cerro la Cruz (center) are part of the resulting debris avalanche deposit that covers an 80 km2 area to the NE.
Photo by José Macías, 1997 (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.