Tres Virgenes Volcano
Updated: Nov 12, 2025 20:33 GMT -
stratovolcanoes
Baja California, Mexico, 27.47°N / -112.59°W 
Summit height: 1940+ m / 6,365 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Tres Vírgenes volcano is a complex of 3 stratovolcanoes, El Viejo, El Azufre, and La Virgen, in east-central Baja California and the only larger volcano on the peninsula.
Possible eruptions occurred in 1746 and 1857.
A geothermal plant is located at the northern end of the complex near the margin of the Pleistocene El Aguajito caldera.
[smaller] [larger]
Tres Virgenes volcano eruptions: 1857(?), 1746(?), 3480 BC
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
The 3 volcanoes, El Viejo, El Azufre, and La Vírgen were constructed along a NE-SW line and are progressively younger to the SW. The youngest volcano, La Vírgen, is an andesitic stratovolcano with numerous dacitic lava domes and lava flows on its flanks. A major plinian explosive eruption from a SW-flank vent was radiocarbon dated at about 6500 years ago, but Helium exposure and Uranium-series dates give a late-Pleistocene age for this event. An ash plume was reported from Tres Vírgenes volcano by a Spanish Jesuit priest while navigating the Gulf of California in 1746. No tephra deposits from such a young eruption have been found, but young undated andesitic lava flows at the summit could potentially be related to this event.(Source: Smithsonian / GVP)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Tres Virgenes volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Tres Virgenes has had only one confirmed historic eruption ###WHEN1###|only one confirmed historic eruption ###WHEN1### and one ###WHEN2### inferred from geological evidence|only one confirmed historic eruption ###WHEN1###, but at least ###NUM_INFERRED### eruptions can be inferred from geological evidence|at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations|at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which ###NUM_HISTORIC### are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
No historic eruptions are known from Tres Virgenes volcano, but at least one eruption ###WHEN2### can be inferred from geological evidence|evidence from at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### eruptions during the past 10,000 years can be found in the geological record.
There are only 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Tres Virgenes volcano during the past 10,000 years.
No historic eruptions are known from Tres Virgenes volcano, but at least one eruption ###WHEN2### can be inferred from geological evidence|evidence from at least ###NUM_CONFIRMED### eruptions during the past 10,000 years can be found in the geological record.
There are only 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Tres Virgenes volcano during the past 10,000 years.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Tres Virgenes volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Tres Virgenes can be found on the news page of Tres Virgenes volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
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
Latest satellite images
Tres Virgenes 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 Tres Virgenes volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tres Virgenes volcano (scale of few kilometers)
