Field Guide for the Horse-Ride Trail to Parícutin Volcano. GA guidebook for the post-meeting fieldtrip in conjuntion with the conference

Abstract

Parícutin volcano in western-central Mexico is one of the most significant geosites in the country. Parícutin erupted between 1943 and 1952 and is the youngest volcano of the Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field together with Jorullo (1759-1774). Both of them are the unique monogenetic volcanoes formed since the Spanish conquest (1519-1521) in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. As part of the activities related to the 80th anniversary celebration of the Parícutin eruption, we organized this one-day excursion to the Parícutin volcano. Horses are the easiest and most rapid means to reach the base of the cone. Thus, in this field trip, we will get to the volcano by riding horses. We will depart from the town of Angahuan, surround the lava field on its western side, and cross the ash deposits that erupted during the explosive phases of the eruption. After reaching the base of the scoria cone, we will dismount and secure the horses under a shade, and climb to the crater rim. The path is ~11 km long and it takes ~4 hours from Angahuan to the crater’s summit. Then, we will trot back to Angahuan, and pay on our way a visit to the church ruins of San Juan Parangaricutiro.