- Versions of the emergence of the Parikutin volcano
- Paricutin today
- Parikutin for tourists
- How to get to Parikutin
Volcano Paricutin is located in Mexico, in the state of Michoacan. Paricutin is part of the Transmexican Volcanic Belt.
Versions of the emergence of the Parikutin volcano
One of the versions says that the volcano appeared in February 1943 near the village of Parikutin (the volcano was named after her). First, farmer Dionisio Pulido saw a 7-centimeter hole in his cornfield (smoke oozed out of it). A couple of hours after that, a special commission sent there discovered a 9-meter depression that was already smoking. On the same day (February 20), the formed volcano began to show activity, frightening the population with its explosions. After 2 days, Parikutin began to be investigated by members of the commission of the Geological Institute. In the period from February 7-20, 10 tremors were noted within a radius of 400 km from the volcano. At first, the flows of the poured lava were 300 m long, and by 1944 - already 4 km. As for the height of Parikutin, from February to December it “grew” from 44 m to 299 m.
According to another version, in early February 1943, people living in the village of Parikutin and the nearby village of San Juan Parangarikutiro heard a dull rumble and felt the earth tremble. Since February 19, during the day, about 300 tremors have been recorded. On February 20, the Pulido family working in the field felt a strong underground rumble, and noticed how a 50-centimeter hill formed from a small hole that had recently appeared on their site (the family used it as a natural garbage container, which did not fill up to the top, like a bottomless abyss). The next day was another discovery for the Pulido family - they found on their site a cone of slag and ash, which reached a height of about 10 m (there were explosions inside). By lunchtime, it “grew” to 50 m, and a week later - to 150 m. The cone grew throughout the year, reaching 336 meters in height by 1944 (it occupied almost the entire territory of the Dionisio site). Due to emissions and explosions, the top of the cone became a funnel-shaped crater (molten rocks poured out of it).
In addition to the village of Parikutin, the pouring lava destroyed about 10 settlements. About 4,000 people had to leave their homes, and no one died from lava and ash (the only cause of death for several people was lightning strikes associated with the eruption). Together with their belongings and the statue of the heavenly patron (people took it to the church), they moved to a place located 30 km from the volcano, founding a new town there.
Paricutin erupted for 9 years, until 1952, and during this period it began to rise to 2,774 m above sea level. Dionisio Pulido had to sell his plot to art critic Gerardo Murillo (pseudonym Doctor Atl), who loved volcanoes (he created about 11,000 drawings and painted more than 1,000 landscapes in oils) and more than once climbed over Parikutin by helicopter to find the most suitable angle.
Paricutin today
As for the present period, every year, before Easter, the inhabitants of the once existing village of Parikutin organize celebrations in honor of the birthday of the eponymous volcano. The only thing that remains of the settlement today is the spire of the church of San Juan Parangarikutiro (it sticks out of the hardened lava), to which people are sent in procession.
Some of the peasants who return to the dead villages feel bad, while others, on the contrary, feel a surge of strength. Scientists explain it this way: due to the birth of the volcano, an energetically abnormal zone arose (it can affect the well-being of people both positively and negatively).
It is worth noting that Parikutin is a monogenetic volcano, that is, it will never erupt again (refers to extinct volcanoes).
Parikutin for tourists
Tourists are invited to visit the observation point located in the nearest village of Angauan - from there they will be able to admire the lava field, stretching for 25 km, and the Parikutin cone towering behind it. It is important to have time to do this, since the "lunar" landscape in the future may disappear - it will be "replaced" by young green plants.
Climbing routes (favorable season - May-July): you can reach the foot of Parikutin by car, and then for about 40 minutes climb to the top along a special trail (suitable for hardy tourists); if you wish, you can also get to the edge of the volcanic vent by horse (travelers will climb a steep slope), having previously hired a guide.
How to get to Parikutin
Upon arrival in Uruapan, which has an international airport (30 km from the volcano), it is recommended to rent a car. Then you can leave it in any village located not far from the volcano, which can be reached on foot or on horseback (if you have an all-terrain vehicle at your disposal, you will be able to drive it to the foot of the volcano). The nearest settlements are the village of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro and Angauan (6 km from Paricutin).
