About Pinacate
Pinacate is a volcanic field rising to 1,183 meters (3,881 feet) in Mexico's North America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Pinacate is located in Mexico, within the Basin and Range Volcanic Province of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 31.85° N, 113.50° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,183 meters above sea level, Pinacate is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Pinacate sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Mexico near Pinacate, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Pinacate has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 1928 CE to 1934 CE. These eruptions span roughly 6 years of volcanic history. The most recent eruption in 1934 CE places this volcano within the modern era of volcanological observation.
GVP Reference Summary
Pinacate is a roughly 55 x 60 km volcanic field in the Sonoran desert of NW México. It contains numerous maars, tuff rings, and cinder cones of late-Pleistocene to Holocene age. The 2,000 km2 field is a prominent feature in this arid, sparsely populated region between the Arizona border and the head of the Gulf of California. An older volcanic period constructed the Santa Clara basaltic-to-trachytic shield volcano. This was followed by the eruption of more than 500 basaltic cinder cones and lava flows that cover the slopes of Santa Clara and the surrounding desert. Among the principal features of the field are two maars: Elegante crater (1.6 km wide) and Cerro Colorado (1 km wide). Legends from the Tohono O'odham people tell of eruptions, though accounts of ash-and-steam eruptions in the 20th century are questionable.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | — | Uncertain Eruption | — |
| 1928 | — | Uncertain Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Pinacate
Is Pinacate an active volcano?+
Pinacate is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Pinacate last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Pinacate occurred in 1934 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Uncertain Eruption." Pinacate has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Pinacate?+
Pinacate has a summit elevation of 1,183 meters (3,881 feet) above sea level. At 1,183 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Pinacate?+
Pinacate is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Pinacate located?+
Pinacate is located in Mexico, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Basin and Range Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 31.850° latitude, -113.500° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Pinacate?+
Pinacate can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Mexico may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
