Northern EPR at 16°N
Fissure vent(s) · -2,300m · Mexico
About Northern EPR at 16°N
Northern EPR at 16°N is a fissure vent(s) rising to -2,300 meters (-7,546 feet) in Mexico's Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption dates to 50 BCE, in prehistoric times. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Northern EPR at 16°N is located in Mexico, within the Northern East Pacific Rise Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 15.83° N, 105.43° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With an elevation of -2,300 meters — below sea level — Northern EPR at 16°N is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature. Submarine volcanoes make up the majority of Earth's volcanic activity, though most eruptions go unobserved beneath the ocean surface. 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
Northern EPR at 16°N 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 Northern EPR at 16°N 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 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
Northern EPR at 16°N has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 50 BCE to 50 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
This second-order segment of the northern East Pacific Rise, also called Segment RO3, lies between the Orozco and Rivera transform faults, immediately north of the Orozco transform. This segment displays a broad, shallow profile that is the widest and shallowest of a 5,000-km-long area of the East Pacific Rise between 23°S and 23°N. The flat axial crest ranges from 3-4 to about 10 km wide, and is about 2,300-2,350 m deep; the axis morphology suggests a high magma supply rate. Magnetic paleointensity measurements on basaltic glasses dated several lava flows at about 2,000 +/- 1,000 years, suggesting a major volcanic episode that produced lava flows flooding much of the axial plateau and extended on to its flanks. Several other lava flows were dated at "contemporary" ages, perhaps less than 100 years.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 BCE | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern EPR at 16°N
Is Northern EPR at 16°N an active volcano?+
Northern EPR at 16°N is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 50 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Northern EPR at 16°N last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Northern EPR at 16°N occurred in 50 BCE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Northern EPR at 16°N has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Northern EPR at 16°N?+
Northern EPR at 16°N has a summit elevation of -2,300 meters (-7,546 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -2,300 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Northern EPR at 16°N?+
Northern EPR at 16°N is classified as a Fissure vent(s). Fissure vent(s) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Northern EPR at 16°N located?+
Northern EPR at 16°N is located in Mexico, in the Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern East Pacific Rise Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 15.830° latitude, -105.430° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Northern EPR at 16°N?+
Northern EPR at 16°N 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.
