Holocene plinian eruption of La Virgen volcano, Baja California, Mexico

A plinian eruption occurred approximately 6500 yr ago at La Virgen Volcano, the youngest volcano of the Tres Virgenes Volcanic Complex (TVVC), located in Baja California, Mexico. Deposits of the eruption suggest a sequence of events that started with the opening of the volcanic conduit, and development of a plinian eruption column up to 18 km in height. This eruption column produced a fallout deposit with a dispersal axis toward the southwest, an areal extent of about 500 km2, and a minimum volume of 1.14 km3. Vulcanian activity (hydromagmatic) followed the plinian phase, producing pyroclastic surge and fallout deposits. The eruptive activity ceased after a basaltic-andesite lava flow was emplaced closing the eruptive activity. Petrological and geochemical evidence indicates that the eruption was triggered by magma mixing processes. Our studies confirm that La Virgen is a dormant volcano with the potential for future violent eruptions. The present study provides important information for the construction of a volcanic hazards map. Significant hazards are presented to the population living within a distance of 30 km from the volcano, together with the interstate road connecting the entire peninsula of Baja California, which runs at a distance of only 3 km from the volcano.