About Comondu-La Purisima
Comondu-La Purisima is a volcanic field rising to 780 meters (2,559 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
Comondu-La Purisima is located in Mexico, within the Gulf of California Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 26.00° N, 111.92° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 780 meters above sea level, Comondu-La Purisima 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
Comondu-La Purisima 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 Comondu-La Purisima 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 trachyandesite / basaltic trachyandesite, 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 Comondú-La Purísima volcanic field, located in southern Baja California, west of the Sierra de la Giganta, dates back to the Miocene. However, the youthful morphology of some cinder cones suggested possible Holocene ages (Sawlan, 1991). The youngest lavas form blocky flows with flow ridges and are mostly located in the area between Comondú and the La Purísima river. Vents usually occur along NNW-trending faults, and many lava flows are offset, sometimes repeatedly, along grabens. Both basaltic and andesitic lava flows are present. The former are typically 5-10 m thick, and the latter are up to 60-80 m thick and form dense, glassy flows with subhorizontal fractures.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Comondu-La Purisima.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Comondu-La Purisima
Is Comondu-La Purisima an active volcano?+
Comondu-La Purisima is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Comondu-La Purisima?+
Comondu-La Purisima has a summit elevation of 780 meters (2,559 feet) above sea level. At 780 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Comondu-La Purisima?+
Comondu-La Purisima 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 Comondu-La Purisima located?+
Comondu-La Purisima 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 26.000° latitude, -111.920° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Comondu-La Purisima?+
Comondu-La Purisima 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.
