Jocotitlán | |
---|---|
Xocotépetl | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 3,910 m (12,830 ft) [1] |
Prominence | 1,200 m (3,900 ft) [2] |
Listing | |
Coordinates | 19°44′17″N 99°45′32″W / 19.73806°N 99.75889°W |
Geography | |
Location | State of Mexico, Mexico |
Geology | |
Mountain type | stratovolcano |
Volcanic arc/ belt | Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt |
Last eruption | 1180 AD ± 100 years |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | hiking trail |
Jocotitlán, also known as Xocotépetl (from Nahuatl languages Xocotepētl 'mountain of the sweet and sour fruits'), is a volcano in the Jocotitlán and Atlacomulco municipalities, in the State of Mexico. At 3,910 metres (12,828 ft) above sea level, its summit is the 12th highest peak of Mexico. [a]
Jocotitlán volcano lies in the northern part of the Toluca Valley. It is part of the Eje Neovolcánico, a volcanic belt that traverses south-central Mexico. It is a stratovolcano formed by tephra and solidified lava flows. The volcano lies within the Isidro Fabela state park, [b] a protected area of 3701 ha established in 1975. [4]
Jocotitlán was considered holy by the Mazahua and Otomi peoples. The former called it Nguemore (" sacred mountain"), while the latter called it Gumidi ("he who sits facing straight forward"). [5] In Pre-Columbian Mexico, the volcano held a sanctuary for Otontecuhtli, the Otomi king of the gods, also known to the Nahua people as fire god Xiuhtecuhtli. [6] The volcano has also held a Catholic chapel since the 1980s. At 3,670 metres (12,041 ft), it is probably one of the highest chapels in Mexico. [2]
Jocotitlán is a potentially active volcano, having erupted at least twice in the last 10,000 years. [7] A series of cinder cones lying just north of the Jocotitlán volcano shows how intense the volcanic activity in the region is. If it erupts, the volcano could pose a serious threat to Greater Toluca and even Greater Mexico City. [8]
The volcano can be easily climbed from the town of Jocotitlán. A winding 19 km country lane leads up to the microwave antenna located near the summit. [2]