Experts warn that a new volcano could be born in Mexico City

Residents of mexico city could witness the birth of a new volcano. Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico warn about this. the possibility that this will happen in the Sierra Chichinautzin, a mountain range located south of the city. The area, consisting of more than 300 monogenetic volcanoes, is considered an active volcanic field.

In an interview with MillenniumAna Lillian Martin del Pozzo, Researcher at the Department of Volcanology at the NAU Institute of Geophysics, said that if there is magma in the area, a new volcano will be born. Scientists do not know the exact time and place in which it will appear, although they assume that this will happen in the near future. The volcanic field is between the municipalities of Milpa Alta and Tlalpan in CDMXas well as 12 municipalities in Morelos and one in the State of Mexico.

The threat of a new volcano comes days after Popocatepetl intensified its activity, spewing ash and red-hot material. Unlike Don Goyo, monogenetic volcanoes erupt only once and after a few years the activity ceases. They are located on volcanic fields, as in the Sierra Chichinautzin, and it may take more than a thousand years before they find another way out.

One of the most famous Chichinautzins is Xitle, which formed the Cuicuilco area and University City after an eruption about 2,000 years ago. A study published by researchers from UNAM and UAM in 2008 determined that, on average, the emergence of a new volcano in the area will be between 800 and 1200 years, so we should be aware of this.

What is a monogenetic volcano and why was it born in CDMX?

Monogenetic volcanoes are the product of the eruptive phase and are grouped into volcanic fields. Unlike a polygenetic volcano such as Popocatepel, monogenetics are smaller, have a single expulsion and their lifespan is short. Volcanoes of this type arise at the intersection of faults and faults that allow magma to rise.

Mexico has More than 3,000 monogenetic volcanoes capable of recording a major eruption., according to UNAM. The Chichinaucin mountain range is one of the most dangerous areas, as there are 300 volcanoes on its territory. Marie Noel Guillebaud, a researcher at the UNAM Institute of Geophysics, said that if one of them became active, it would be as dangerous as Xitle. for former residents.

Although they are smaller than a polygenic volcano, monogenetics can generate powerful eruptions it will affect the populated areas. A notable example is Xitle, whose lava covered the Cuicuilco area nearly 2,000 years ago, forcing its inhabitants to emigrate to other areas.

“Xitle produced a lot of lava; if it happened again displaced glow will not lead to deathsince the population will be evicted in a timely manner, and what they get in their way, they will bury, ”Guilbaud noted. in different areas and affect air traffic, they will collapse roofs and clog gutters,” he said.

Can you predict when and where it will erupt?

According to Hugo Delgado, a research fellow at the NAU Institute of Geophysics and author of the study. A method for predicting the location of a new volcano south of Mexico City., in monogenetic volcanoes, it is impossible to predict where the next eruption will occur. However, scientists monitor carbon dioxide emissions into the soil to identify areas most affected by it.

A study published in 2008 identified two areas of abnormal CO₂ emission, one near the Military College and the other in Tenango, Mexico. “These anomalies are associated with active tectonic features and are potential conduits for rising magma,” he says. Delgado mentioned Millennium that more detailed studies of the age of volcanoes are needed in order to have better statistics.