GIS Mapping of Volcanic Landform Age Distribution in Lago de Patzcuaro Region, Michoacan, Mexico

Anna Himelstein* and Graham Andrews, Department of Geology and Geography,West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Field (Broad Category): Geography/Geology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Geology 

The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) is home to numerous volcanoes, all of differing ages and states of weathering and erosion. Our area of focus is in the region around Lago de Patzcuaro in Michoacan State, central Mexico, a well-populated rural area that is popular with tourists. The Lago de Patzcuaro area has not experienced an eruption in recorded history but major destructive eruptions have occurred in adjacent parts of the TMVB. The area has also not been mapped geologically. To understand the volcanic hazards posed to communities in the Lago de Patzcuaro area, we have classified pre-historic volcanoes to estimate their relative age, size, and eruption style. We have created 5 age categories based on physical characteristics observed in Google Earth Pro: vegetation, valley incisions, cone shape, and crater visibility. For approximately 90 likely volcanic edifices we can estimate the relative age, with pristine volcanic cones being youngest. This is very essential to understanding the likely behavior of near-future eruptions in this part of the TMVB. 

Funding: 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: Other GEOL 494 B Senior Thesis