About Iztaccihuatl
Iztaccihuatl is a stratovolcano rising to 5,230 meters (17,160 feet) in Mexico's Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Iztaccihuatl is located in Mexico, within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 19.18° N, 98.64° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 5,230 meters above sea level, Iztaccihuatl reaches well into the permanent snow and ice zone. Glaciers and snowpack on the upper slopes create the potential for lahars — destructive volcanic mudflows — during eruptions, as heat rapidly melts ice and snow. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Iztaccihuatl 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 Iztaccihuatl, 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 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
Iztaccíhuatl (the "Woman in White") presents the profile of a sleeping woman as seen from the Valley of Mexico. A series of overlapping cones constructed along a NNW-SSE line to the south of the Pleistocene Llano Grande caldera forms the summit ridge of the massive 450 km3 volcano. Andesitic and dacitic Quaternary volcanism has taken place from vents at or near the summit. Valley headwalls near the summit vent (El Pecho) have lava flows and tuff deposits post-dating a glaciation about 11,000 years ago. The youngest vents are located at the summit and a depression at 5,100 m along the summit ridge midway between El Pecho and Los Pies (White, 1986). Nixon (1989) considered all summit lavas to be Pleistocene, but noted a postglacial dacitic vent on the S flank of Iztaccíhuatl, north of the saddle between it and Popocatépetl.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Iztaccihuatl.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Iztaccihuatl
Is Iztaccihuatl an active volcano?+
Iztaccihuatl 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 Iztaccihuatl?+
Iztaccihuatl has a summit elevation of 5,230 meters (17,160 feet) above sea level. At 5,230 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Iztaccihuatl?+
Iztaccihuatl is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Iztaccihuatl located?+
Iztaccihuatl is located in Mexico, in the Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 19.179° latitude, -98.642° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Iztaccihuatl?+
Iztaccihuatl 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.
