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Colima, Mexico.

10/6/2011

 
Colima is the most active volcano in Mexico having erupted more than 40 times since the mid 1500s and in my opinion is among the most beautiful on the decade volcano list.
Picture
Volcan de Colima. Situated in the spectacular Nevado del Colima Park.
The Colima Volcanic Complex consists of three peaks. The currently active peak, named Volcan de Colima (the decade volcano) which stands at ~3850 m and is also known as Volcano de Fuego. The older but taller Nevado de Colima (~4320 m) sits to the North of its younger counterpart. The eroded Cátaro peak (~2500 m) which lies further to the North still. Colima is located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and is the result of the subduction of the Cocos and Rivera tectonic plates beneath the North American counterpart.

The current eruptive period at Colima has been ongoing since 1997 with the main type of explosion which occurs here Vulcanian in origin. Vulcanian eruptions are generally described as short lived bursts which produce an ash/steam column which can range in height between hundreds of metres or generally to ~10 km. Effusive activity also occurs at Colima with lava flows occuring commonly throughout its history. Generally the eruptions are small in scale however larger eruptions (up to VEI 4) have occurred in the past which have destroyed the summit area
 
Colima is currently monitored by the Colima Volcano Observatory. For a panorma of the observatory visit this link. The website of the Observatory is available here, where you can find webcams, photos and more detailed information of the volcano. Due to it's location and easy access Colima has become one of the most studied volcanoes and this is in part due to the excellent management and work done at and by the University of Colima.
Picture
A vulcanian burst of Colima in 2007. Taken from the global volcanism program website.
Please feel free to comment on this or any of my posts, I am open to suggestions and would love to have a little interaction with readers. 
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Ralf link
6/2/2012 04:27:39 am

Hello,

I agree one of the must-sees in Colima is for sure the Volcano. If you have a car you can get a very nice view on the Valcano if you follow the street from Colima in direction Comala. Stop in Comala at the central Plaza and have a traditional Ponche (drink). Then after passing Comala you will reach after around 10 more kilometeres the “Zona Magica”. On the road you have great views on the volcano and in the Zona Magica try the following. Take the Exit road which runs parallel to the road. Stop your car and put it in the neutral gear. From your view you should go down here but actually it feels like your car is moving the other direction. Quite fun especially as you see a lot of Mexican families on the weekend there trying the same and havin fun.
I spend two holidays in Colima and was always impressed by the mountain.

Cheers,
Ralf

PS: There is also a tour that brings you up on the Volcano:
http://wishbird.net/index.php/component/wbactivity/?view=activity&pid=24
Haven't tried it myself yet though. If you have any experience with this tour let me know it it worth it.


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