Estudio geomorfologico del complejo volcanico de Colima

Abstract

The morphology of Colima Volcano, correlated with the different deposits, was used to distinguish the eruptive events and define hazardous areas. The dominating erosion type is fluvial which is observed in the dense gully network, 5-15/km2. Paleorelief interpretation shows that the Armeria River flowed down a wide alluvial plain before it was covered by avalanches. Colima's upper cone has a slope of over 35° and shows little fluvial erosion because its products are very young (1991, 1982, 1976, 1962, 1913, 1906, 1903, 1880 eruptions...). On the other hand, Nevado de Colima Volcano shows more fluvial erosion and at least two calderas. At 3000 m a semicircular lava crest marks the Colima caldera rim. There seem to be other caldera remnants to the southeast. Another distinctive feature is the hummocky topography which defines 2 separate regions (SE and SW) based on hummock size. Lava domes on Colima's southern flank (Hijos) vary from 120 to 300 m in height with slopes to 20 to 35° and weak dissection. Future pyroclastic flows will travel mostly to the south and at 3700 m will follow the gullies till the slope angle decreases, around 1600 m. In the case of cone failure a new avalanche could travel much further. -from English summary