San Borja Volcanic Field
Volcanic field · 1,360m · Mexico
About San Borja Volcanic Field
San Borja Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 1,360 meters (4,462 feet) in Mexico's Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
San Borja Volcanic Field is located in Mexico, within the Gulf of California Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 28.50° N, 113.75° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,360 meters above sea level, San Borja Volcanic Field 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
San Borja Volcanic Field is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near San Borja Volcanic Field in Mexico generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
The San Borja (or El Rosarito) volcanic field, is located in central Baja California NE of the Vizcaino Peninsula. Holocene lava flows occur at Rosarito and Morro San Domingo at the western end of the field along the coast north of the Vizcaino Peninsula. Some lava flows are less vegetated than flows of the San Quintín volcanic field to the north that overlie 5,000-6,000 year-old midden deposits (Rogers et al., 1985). The Holocene lava flows in the western part of this alkalic volcanic field are of basaltic andesite and andesitic composition.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for San Borja Volcanic Field.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About San Borja Volcanic Field
Is San Borja Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
San Borja Volcanic Field 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.
How high is San Borja Volcanic Field?+
San Borja Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 1,360 meters (4,462 feet) above sea level. At 1,360 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is San Borja Volcanic Field?+
San Borja Volcanic Field 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 San Borja Volcanic Field located?+
San Borja Volcanic Field is located in Mexico, in the Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Gulf of California Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 28.500° latitude, -113.750° longitude.
Is it safe to visit San Borja Volcanic Field?+
San Borja Volcanic Field 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.
