Samantha Jones

April 22, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=0XHDZYhVeQ4
Mount Paricutin Eruption
The Paricutin volcano was formed on
February 20, 1943. Paricutin got its famous name
by the village of Paricutin, which now lies buried
under its lava. The lifespan of Paricutin is 19431952. Paricutin began to form in Dionisio Pulidos
cornfield. The trees trembled and the earth
swelled. Ashes, fine dust particles, hot rocks, lava
blobs, and gray smoke began rising from the
conical formation. The ground continuously
whistled a loud hiss as though it was wailing in
pain. The smell of sulfur was heavy in the air. So I

put my gas mask on so I would not die from all of

the gases in the air. Dionisio fled with his family in
terror. The eruption generated a 50-m high cinder
cone within 24 hours. In a week, it had risen up to
100m in height from the assemblage of bombs,
and ash fragments were coming down on the
village of Paricutin. A major volcanic activity was
witnessed in February 1952, which was known to
have been the most violent and explosive one in
Paricutins history. The eruptions were mellow, the
lava covered 20 square miles of land for nine
years, and the accumulations around the volcanic
vent, gave it a steep cone shaped appearance.
Before Paricutin, Mexico had seen the formation of
the Jorullo Volcano in 1759, southwest of farmer
Dionisios land. Nevertheless, it was Paricutin that

had given volcanologists and scientists a chance to

study the birth, life, and death of a volcano. The
death of a volcano implies its extinction, the end
of its eruptions. Paricutin had a strombolian
eruption, which means that the basaltic lava
exploded through a single vent, forming cinder
cones. Most people suffered from eye irritations
and experienced a suffocating feeling following the
inhalation of volcanic ash. The rains washed away
the ash-laden mountain, but the pyroclastic
emissions sabotaged the rivers and silted the
agricultural fields of the neighboring villages of
Paricutin and San Juan. Many lost crops, livestock,
and also suffered substantial property damage. The
agricultural land near the volcano became infertile,
as it had high contents of ash. When the volcanic

activity finally ceased, plant and animal life were

moderately restored. This volcano falls under the
monogenetic volcano category; meaning, it will
never erupt again. If you get a chance to visit this
extinct volcano, you will notice that the San Juan
Parangaricutiro church is half-buried but still intact
by solidified lava. Today, this geological formation
has become a well-known tourist destination. The
winding ways, glittering black soil, silent
surroundings, and an impressive view, make any
nature lover fall in love with the place. The
Paricutins 9,200-feet slopes are perfect for
mountaineers. Horse riding, hiking, walking over
lava-covered grounds, and climbing this
breathtaking landscape to the lip of the caldera is
truly an experience that is sure to captivate many

souls. For its natural beauty and intriguing history,

the youngest volcanic mountain of America surely
deserves to be amongst the Seven Wonders of the
World!