The volcanic threat traffic light indicates that the Colima Volcano is on alert for passive degassing. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) will continue to constantly observe the volcano, in order to report in time any alteration in its activity that requires immediate attention.
Weather forecast in the area of the volcano
Partly cloudy sky, with visibility towards the volcano area, which would facilitate observation in the event of an exhalation of water vapor, gas and/or ash, (Image 1, webcam network). The volcano is in the passive degassing stage.
Atmospheric Sounding (based on GFS 12Z model) of Manzanillo Colima, 06:00 am local time, December 3, 2024: At 5000 m: South-southeast wind of 21.5 km/h. Between 5000 and 7000 m: South-southeast wind of 23.5 km/h. Above 7000 m: South-southwest wind of 20 km/h.
There is light cloud cover over the volcano area, which would allow satellite detection in case of any activity (Image 2). The satellite estimate of rainfall does not show accumulated precipitation in the volcano area in the last three hours, this with a cutoff at 12:00 h today, local time (Image 3).
Ash trajectory
In the event of any exhalation of volcanic ash, gas and/or water vapor, the trajectory forecast of the Hysplit (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model, executed at CONAGUA-CGSMN with a possible emission height of 500 meters above the volcanic cone which is 3,839 meters AMSL “above mean sea level” (2,745 meters AGL “above ground level”), indicates trajectories towards the northwest and north-northwest, changing to the northeast (simulating exhalation every next hour, 6), as it passes through the northeast area of the state of Colima and the south, center-southwest, center-west and center of the state of Jalisco, for the first 12 hours of the forecast, (14:00 to 02:00 local time of the following day). Subsequently, for the last 12 hours of the forecast (02:00 to 14:00 local time of the following day), the trajectories will continue over the central-west, central, central-northwest, central-north and northeastern areas of the state of Jalisco and the western and central areas of the state of Guanajuato. These trajectories predict the main direction of emissions of the plume of gas, water vapor and/or volcanic ash, coming from the Volcano of Fire of Colima.
The Volcano of Colima is also a National Park, with a federal Protected Natural Area located on the borders between Jalisco and Colima. This area is composed of the Volcanic Complex of Colima, which consists of the Volcano of Fire and the Nevado de Colima, extending over 6,554.75 hectares.
The area was established as a National Park on September 5, 1936, during the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas. Its landscape includes slopes forested with pines and oaks, contrasting with the lower semitropical areas, as well as a rich wildlife, which gives it the status of a prized natural museum of local fauna and flora.
The decree accepts the importance of the Nevado de Colima Volcano National Park for hosting diverse ecosystems and species, a result of its volcanic origin, its complex topography, the high heights of its peaks, its isolation from other mountains and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, factors that together create a unique context.
Although the Colima Volcano is the most active, Popocatépetl is considered the most dangerous due to its potential to seriously affect nearby populations.
This volcano is classified as a stratovolcano because it is made up of multiple layers of solidified lava. Research indicates that its structure is made up of Jurassic rocks and Cretaceous limestone, as well as marine sedimentary rocks and granite formations, the latter dating from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary.
Source: infobae
