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Geological Formation

Pico de Orizaba

Volcanic Formations

Pico de Orizaba, also known by its Nahuatl name Citlaltepetl, stands on the border of Veracruz and Puebla states in central Mexico, near the eastern end of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, and at about 5,636 meters is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third-highest in North America. It is a dormant stratovolcano built from andesite and dacite lava interlayered with pyroclastic material, with a summit crater roughly 400 meters across, and its high elevation supports Mexico's largest glacier system, including the Gran Glaciar Norte, though these glaciers have retreated significantly in recent decades. The volcano has a long eruptive history stretching back tens of thousands of years, including large explosive eruptions and debris avalanches that reshaped its edifice, and its most recent confirmed eruptions occurred in the mid-19th century, with activity recorded between 1846 and 1849. Though currently dormant, Pico de Orizaba is still classified as an active volcano capable of future eruptions. This entity documents Pico de Orizaba specifically as a geological formation, Mexico's highest peak, a dormant andesite-dacite stratovolcano last erupting in the 1840s.

Facts
Classification
Protected Status
National Park or Reserve 1
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Caused By

Volcanism, Processes
Source Pico de Orizaba (Wikipedia)

In Discipline

Source Pico de Orizaba (Wikipedia)
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Sources
1. Pico de Orizaba (Wikipedia)
  • Article text
    On December 16, 1936, President Lázaro Cárdenas, in an effort to protect the natural beauty of Pico de Orizaba, created a national park with an area of 19,750 hectares (48,800 acres) that included the volcano with the surrounding area and the settlements of Tlachichuca, Ciudad Serdán, La Perla, Mariano Escobedo, and Calcahualco.
  • In Discipline: Volcanology, Lead paragraph
    Citlaltépetl (from Náhuatl citlal(in) = star, and tepētl = mountain), otherwise known as Pico de Orizaba, is an active volcano and the highest volcano in North America, as well as the highest mountain in Mexico and third highest peak in North America, after Denali of the United States and Mount Loga
  • Caused By: Volcanism, Lead paragraph
    Citlaltépetl (from Náhuatl citlal(in) = star, and tepētl = mountain), otherwise known as Pico de Orizaba, is an active volcano and the highest volcano in North America, as well as the highest mountain in Mexico and third highest peak in North America, after Denali of the United States and Mount Loga
View the Source
Wikidata: Pico de Orizaba
Wikidata Q238147, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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