REPEATED VOLCANIC DISASTERS IN PRE-HISPANIC TIME AT POPOCATEPETL, CENTRAL MEXICO - PAST KEY TO THE FUTURE

Citation
C. Siebe et al., REPEATED VOLCANIC DISASTERS IN PRE-HISPANIC TIME AT POPOCATEPETL, CENTRAL MEXICO - PAST KEY TO THE FUTURE, Geology, 24(5), 1996, pp. 399-402
Citations number
18
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Geology
Journal title
ISSN journal
0091-7613
Volume
24
Issue
5
Year of publication
1996
Pages
399 - 402
Database
ISI
SICI code
0091-7613(1996)24:5<399:RVDIPT>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
The Holocene eruptive history of Popocatepetl volcano is characterized by recurrent voluminous Plinian eruptions every 1000 to 3000 yr, the most recent of which destroyed human settlements, Major eruptions occu rred between 3195 and 2830 B.C., 800 and 215 B.C., and A.D. 675 and 10 95. The three eruptions followed a similar pattern and started with mi nor ash fall and ash flows, The eruptions reached their peak with a ma in Plinian pulse that produced deposition of a pumice fall, the emplac ement of hot ash flows, and finally extensive mudflows, Each time the area of devastation had become repopulated, before being devastated on ce again, During the last eruption several settlements, including Chol ula (a major urban center), were inundated by lahars, A scenario of th e possible recurrence of an eruption of similar magnitude, which would have disastrous consequences for the now highly populated areas aroun d Popocatepetl, should be considered seriously in any volcano emergenc y contingency plan, This is especially important because more than one million people are living within a radius of 35 km around the volcano (the outskirts of Mexico City are at a distance of 40 km), and Popoca tepetl resumed emitting ash on December 21, 1994, after decades of dor mancy.