Colima (Mexico): Recorded Eruptions and Historical Activity

Colima is a stratovolcano located in Mexico at an elevation of 3,850 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust tectonic setting. According to official records from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a confirmed total of 79 eruptions spanning from its earliest recorded year in 7690 BCE through 2019 CE. The historical record blends prehistoric activity determined through isotopic methods with direct historical observations reported in later centuries.

Eruption History and Chronology

The documented activity of Colima stretches across millennia, with eruption records maintained via various scientific and observational methods. Early prehistoric events rely on isotopic evidence, such as uncalibrated and calibrated carbon-14 dating, which carry natural time uncertainties—for instance, the earliest recorded eruption in 7690 BCE carries a start year uncertainty of 500 years, and a later event in 1170 BCE carries an uncertainty of 200 years.

As time progresses into the historical period, reports shift toward direct human observation. Out of the 79 total confirmed eruptions, 54 include Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) observations. The largest recorded VEI in the official record for Colima is 4.0. Notable examples from the historical reporting include:

• March 1770: A confirmed eruption occurring from March 10, 1770, to March 12, 1770, with a recorded VEI of 3.0, documented via reported observations.
• January 1913: An explosive eruption lasting from January 17, 1913, to January 24, 1913, reaching the maximum recorded VEI of 4.0.
• May 2019: A later recorded activity spanning from May 11, 2019, to July 12, 2019, with a VEI of 1.0.

The official record lists 2019 as the year of the latest recorded eruption, specifically noting an activity start date of May 11, 2019. None of the representative historical records indicate a continuing status, treating each completed period as a historical event.

Distribution Across Centuries

Eruptive activity at Colima has been documented across numerous centuries, ranging from deep antiquity through the modern era. The distribution of confirmed eruptions reflects varying levels of historical documentation and physical evidence preservation:

• Ancient and Prehistoric Eras: Numerous centuries feature isolated recorded events, such as the 36th century BCE (2 eruptions), 45th century BCE (2 eruptions), and multiple single-event centuries stretching back to 7690 BCE.
• Historical Eras: Documentation becomes denser in later centuries, recording 5 eruptions in the 16th century CE, 4 in the 17th century CE, 9 in the 18th century CE, 18 in the 19th century CE, and 15 in the 20th century CE, alongside activity in the 21st century CE.