Pico de Orizaba Volcano
Updated: May 4, 2025 06:36 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Central Mexico, 19.03°N / -97.27°W 
Summit height: 5675 m / 18,619 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Pico de Orizaba volcano (Volcán Citlaltépetl) is a large active stratovolcano, Mexico's highest mountain and the highest volcano of North America. It is located at the southern end of Citlaltépetl–Cofre de Perote Volcanic Range, and the only volcano in this area with historic activity.
Historical eruptions have consisted of moderate explosive activity and the effusion of dacitic lava flows. The latest eruption of the volcano were in 1545, 1566, 1630 and 1687.
[smaller] [larger]
Pico de Orizaba volcano eruptions: 1157(?), 1175, 1187(?), 1260, 1351(?), 1533-39(?), 1545-55, 1566, 1569-89, 1613, 1687, 1846
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 01:31 pm (GMT -6) | 1.8 4 km | 8.4 km (5.2 mi) to the N | Mexico: 21 km Al NORESTE De CD SERDAN, PUE | Info | |
| Wednesday, April 23, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Apr 23, 03:24 am (Mexico City) | 2.5 6.8 km | 4.7 km (2.9 mi) to the N | Mexico: 22 km Al NORESTE De CD SERDAN, PUE | Info | |
| Tuesday, April 22, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Apr 21, 06:55 pm (Mexico City) | 3? 5.1 km | 24 km (15 mi) to the NW | Veracruz, Mexico (unconfirmed) | Info | |
| Apr 21, 06:48 pm (Mexico City) | 2? 5.2 km | 5.1 km (3.2 mi) to the W | Veracruz, Mexico (unconfirmed) | Info | |
Background
Pico de Orizaba volcano was formed in 3 stages beginning during the mid-Pleistocene. Orizaba lies at the southern end of a volcanic chain extending north to Cofre de Perote volcano and towers up to 4400 m above its eastern base. Construction of the initial Torrecillas and Espolón de Oro volcanoes was contemporaneous with growth of Sierra Negra volcano on the SW flank and was followed by edifice collapses that produced voluminous debris avalanches and lahars. The modern Citlaltépetl volcano was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene of viscous andesitic and dacitic lavas, forming the current steep-sided cone. Repetitive explosive eruptions beginning during the early Holocene accompanied lava dome growth and lava effusion.Pico de Orizaba Volcano Photos
Pico de Orizaba as seen from a plane. It is currently a dormant volcano having last erupted in 1846 but at 5564m asl it is also the highest peak in Mexico and the highest...
Significant volcanic eruptions: Pico de Orizaba volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Pico de Orizaba has had at least 23 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 6 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 4 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Pico de Orizaba volcano.
Additionally, there are 4 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Pico de Orizaba volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Pico de Orizaba volcano since around 3000 BC. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Pico de Orizaba can be found on the news page of Pico de Orizaba volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2? | |||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2 | |||
| 3 | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2 | |||
| 3? | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2 | |||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Pico de Orizaba Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Pico de Orizaba volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Pico de Orizaba occurred in 1846.
+How often does Pico de Orizaba volcano erupt?
Since 1545 AD, Pico de Orizaba volcano has had at least 6 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 80 years.
Many eruptions of Pico de Orizaba have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 36 out of 480 years until now. In other words, Pico de Orizaba has been active at least one in 13.3 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Pico de Orizaba is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+When was the largest eruption of Pico de Orizaba volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Pico de Orizaba volcano occurred around 6710 BC. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Pico de Orizaba Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Pico de Orizaba volcano (scale of few kilometers)
