Volcano Journal Entry
Colima Volcano Erupts in Mexico (September 5, 2003)
View of Colima volcano courtesy Colima Volcano Observatory.
Mexico's Colima volcano exploded last week. The volcano shot thick plumes of ash 2 miles (3 kilometers) high into the atmosphere. Fiery pyroclastic flows of rock, ash, and cinders blazed down the volcano's slopes.
People heard the explosion in the city of Colima about 20 miles (30 km) from the volcano. Ash showered down on the town of Grullo 35 miles (60 km) away.
Colima, which is found about 300 miles (500 kilometers) west of Mexico City, is one of Mexico's most active volcanoes. Its most recent active phase began five years ago. About 300,000 people live within 25 miles (40 km) of the "Volcano of Fire."
Mexico lies on North American plate in the region where the Pacific and Cocos plates dive below it. Its volcanoes are included in the Ring of Fire, the large arc of active volcanoes along tectonic plate boundaries surrounding the Pacific Ocean.
