- List of the largest volcanoes in Mexico
- 11- Ajusco
- 10- Colima Volcano
- 9- Tacaná
- 8- Perote's Chest
- 7- Nevado de Colima
- 6- La Malinche
- 5- Sierra Negra
- 4- Xinantécatl
- 3- Iztaccíhuatl
- 2- Popocatépetl
- 1- Pico de Orizaba or Citlaltépetl
- References
The highest volcanoes in Mexico belong to the Cordillera Neovolcanica, which extends from the Pacific Ocean, at the height of the Archipelago of Revillagigedo, to the state of Veracruz, in the Gulf of Mexico.
This mountain range boasts the highest peaks in Mexico, serving as a natural barrier against the rigors of the Pacific Ocean. They form a link between the Western and Eastern Sierra Madre, limiting to the south with Mexico City and the subduction zone that forms the Balsas River fault, which geographically delimits North and Central America.
Pico de Orizaba
Outside the Cordillera Neovolcanica there are other volcanoes in Mexico, such as: El Chichón and Tacaná in Chiapas and Pochutla in Oaxaca.
List of the largest volcanoes in Mexico
11- Ajusco
It is an extinct volcano that belongs to the Neovolcanic mountain range, with an approximate height of 3,937 meters above sea level. Its name means Forest of the water.
It is located between the Federal District and the state of Morelos. It is part of the mountain chain called, Serranía de Ajusco or Sierra Chichinauhtzin.
10- Colima Volcano
It has an approximate height of 3,960 meters above sea level and is located between the states of Colima and Jalisco, forming part of the Neovolcanic mountain range.
It is called Volcán de Fuego de Colima, to differentiate it from Nevado de Colima. It shows a constant volcanic activity; its last eruption occurred in January 2017.
9- Tacaná
It rises approximately 4,092 meters above sea level and belongs to the Chiapas mountain range on the limits of Mexico and Guatemala.
It is an active volcano and is known as El Coloso de Sur; It is the tenth highest peak in Mexico and the second in Guatemala.
8- Perote's Chest
Also known as Nauhcampatépetl (it comes from Nahuatl), it has a height of 4200 meters above sea level. It is part of the Neovolcanic mountain range and is located specifically in the state of Veracruz.
It has the characteristics of a stratovolcano and stands out for the thousands of mountaineering expeditions that it attracts each year due to its favorable conditions for climbing.
7- Nevado de Colima
Located in the state of Jalisco, it reaches a height of 4260 meters above sea level. It is part of the Neovolcanic mountain range and is extinct, that is, it has no volcanic activity.
Even so, it is still possible to find some remains of lava, craters and other flows that indicate that it had eruptions with very catastrophic consequences for the surrounding areas.
6- La Malinche
It has an approximate height of 4,420 meters above sea level. It is located between the states of Puebla and Tlaxcala. Its name is derived from the deity Tláloc, who is the one who provides water and rain.
It is part of the Neovolcanic mountain range. At present it is an active volcano and around it is the La Malinche National Park, which serves as a refuge for rabbits and lynxes.
It is also used as a scientific station to study the region.
5- Sierra Negra
Located in the east of Puebla, specifically in the Pico de Orizaba National Park, it has an approximate height of 4,580 meters above sea level.
It is an extinct volcano, belonging to the Neovolcanic mountain range, also called Cerro Negro. At its summit a large millimeter telescope was built, intended for the investigation of volcanoes and their manifestations.
4- Xinantécatl
Source: pixabay.com
The 'naked man' or Nevado de Toluca, as this volcano is also known, is located between the valleys of Toluca and Tenango in the State of Mexico. It has a height of 4690 msmm.
Its last eruption was in 1350 BC. C., which makes it an active volcano. It belongs to the Neovolcanic Axis and its soil is made up of calcium, phosphorus, iron, sulfate or powder keg from the mountains, among other chemical elements.
3- Iztaccíhuatl
Source: pixabay.com
It ranks third among the largest volcanoes in Mexico, with an approximate height of 5,286 meters above sea level. It is located between the geographic limits of the states of Puebla and Mexico.
It is considered a sacred mountain, since in its caves vestiges of rituals to the indigenous princess Iztaccihuatl were found. It is an active volcano belonging to the Neovolcanic mountain range and is known by the name of Sleeping Woman.
2- Popocatépetl
Source: pixabay.com
This volcano has an approximate height of 5,500 meters above sea level. It is located in the border division of the states of Mexico, Puebla and Morelos.
It is an active volcano that belongs to the Neovolcanic chain. It presents many manifestations since its first eruption in 1347, which is why it was named Cerro que Humea. Its last eruption was in 2019.
1- Pico de Orizaba or Citlaltépetl
Source: pixabay.com
It is at the same time a peak and a volcano, it is considered the highest, both in Mexico and North America. It has an approximate height of 5,747 meters above sea level.
It is an active volcano located between the states of Veracruz and Puebla. It is part of the transversal volcanic axis and is called Monte de la Estrella. Its last eruption dates from 1846.
References
- Broda, J. (2017). Mexican Archeology. Obtained from arqueologiamexicana.mx
- GeoEncyclopedia. (sf). Obtained from geoenciclopedia.com
- Montipedia Mountain Encyclopedia. (sf). Retrieved from montipedia.com
- Mexican geological service. (2017). Obtained from sgm.gob.mx
- VolcanoDiscovery. (sf). Retrieved from volcanodiscovery.com.