The Colima Volcano, also known as the Volcano of Fire, is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico and all of North America. Located on the border between the states of Colima and Jalisco, this volcano is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. With an altitude of approximately 3,820 meters above sea level, the Colima Volcano has had a history of frequent eruptions, one of the most notable being the 2005 eruption, which forced the evacuation of nearby communities.
Due to its constant activity, it is continuously monitored by scientific institutions to anticipate possible eruptions and minimize risks to the surrounding population.
Weather forecast for the volcano area
Mostly cloudy skies, with reduced visibility toward the volcano, making observation difficult in the event of a water vapor, gas, and/or ash exhalation. According to the National Meteorological Service’s analysis, the volcano is under a Yellow Alert on the volcanological traffic light, which means it is in the passive degassing phase and could increase its activity at any time.
There is cloud cover over the volcano area, which would hinder the detection of volcanic activity through satellite observation. Satellite rainfall estimates show no accumulated precipitation in the volcano area over the last three hours, as of 12:00 p.m. local time today.
Ash Trajectory
In the event of any exhalation of volcanic ash, gas, and/or water vapor, the trajectory forecast by the Hysplit (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model, run by CONAGUA-CGSMN with a potential emission height of 500 meters above the volcanic cone, which is 3,839 meters AMSL (above mean sea level) (2,745 meters AGL (above ground level), indicates southwestward trajectories (simulating exhalation every subsequent hour, 6 hours), passing through the northeast, north, northwest, center, west, southwest, and south-southwest of the state of Colima; the southern part of the state of Jalisco; and over the Pacific Ocean, for the first 12 hours of the forecast (2:00 PM to 2:00 AM local time).
Subsequently, for the last 12 hours of the forecast (2:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time), the trajectories will continue over the Pacific Ocean, where they would end. These trajectories predict the main direction of emissions from the plume of gas, water vapor, and/or volcanic ash originating from the Colima Volcano of Fire.
Nevado de Colima Volcano National Park
Under the administration of Lázaro Cárdenas, the Nevado de Colima Volcano National Park was created on September 5, 1936, covering an area of 6,554.75 hectares. The Colima Volcanic Complex is located within this park, formed by the Fuego Volcano and the Nevado de Colima Volcano, the former being one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico.
This park is highly significant as a Federal Protected Natural Area, not only for its volcanic activity, but also for its diverse ecosystems, which are due to a number of factors such as its volcanic origin, complex topography, high altitudes, isolation from other mountains, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
The Colima Volcano is classified as a stratovolcano due to its structure, formed by several layers of solidified lava and marine sedimentary rocks, among others, and has an impressive geological history. Studies indicate that its composition contains Jurassic rocks and Cretaceous limestone, as well as granite formations spanning the Cretaceous to the Quaternary.
The colossus is known for its frequent activity, but Popocatépetl is considered the most dangerous in Mexico due to its proximity to populations. However, the park has the status of a protected area, allowing visitors to engage in activities such as hiking, camping, and volcano observation from viewpoints.
This park is preserved not only to protect its rich biodiversity, but also so that future generations can enjoy and learn from this unique ecosystem, reinforcing the importance of caring for these natural spaces. The area’s landscape is characterized by slopes covered in pine and oak forests, which contrast with the lower-altitude semi-tropical areas. This variety of ecosystems is home to a rich biodiversity, with numerous endemic species of flora and fauna.
Source: infobae
