San Martin is a volcanic field located in Mexico, standing at an elevation of 1,660 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust setting exceeding 25 kilometers in thickness. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a total of 12 confirmed eruptions recorded across a timeline stretching from prehistoric isotopic dates into the late 18th century CE.
Overview of Eruption History
The historical and prehistoric record for San Martin encompasses 12 confirmed eruptions. These events are distributed across various centuries, identified through methods ranging from uncalibrated radiocarbon dating and tephrochronology to direct historical observations. The earliest recorded eruption in the timeline dates back to approximately 3440 BCE with a 50-year uncertainty margin, while the latest confirmed eruption periods extend into the late 18th century CE.
Notable Historical Eruptions
Among the documented events in the official record, the activity from the late 18th century includes specific historical observations:
- March 2 to December 1793 CE: An eruption that featured activity in cinder cones within the summit crater, registering a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4.0.
- May 1794 to 1796 CE: A subsequent confirmed eruption with a recorded VEI of 2.0.
Earlier prehistoric activity is established via scientific dating techniques. For instance, eruptions are noted around 750 BCE (with a 40-year uncertainty) and around 380 CE (with a 75-year uncertainty based on tephrochronology correlation).
Chronological Distribution by Century
The 12 confirmed eruptions are distributed across multiple centuries of activity:
- 35th century BCE: 1 eruption
- 22nd century BCE: 1 eruption
- 14th century BCE: 1 eruption
- 8th century BCE: 1 eruption
- 2nd century BCE: 1 eruption
- 2nd century CE: 1 eruption
- 4th century CE: 1 eruption
- 5th century CE: 1 eruption
- 9th century CE: 1 eruption
- 17th century CE: 1 eruption
- 18th century CE: 2 eruptions
Frequently asked questions
Where is San Martin located?
San Martin is located in Mexico.
How many eruptions have been recorded at San Martin?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program records 12 confirmed eruptions for San Martin.
What is the largest recorded VEI for San Martin?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for San Martin is 4.0.
When was the earliest recorded eruption at San Martin?
The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates back to 3440 BCE, with a 50-year uncertainty.
Image credits
- Lyn Topinka, USGS — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.