A new cone, Volcán Bárcena, was rapidly constructed during an eruption that began on 1 August 1952 at the southern end of Isla San Benedicto. This photo, taken from off the west coast of the island only four minutes after the start of the eruption, also shows the onset of pyroclastic surges. Lava extrusion occurred in September, November, and December. On 8 December activity shifted to a vent on the SE flank, producing a lava delta that extended about 700 m to sea. Activity ended in late February 1953.

Photo by Robert Petrie, 1952 (U.S. Navy; courtesy of Sherman Neuschel, U.S. Geological Survey).

This image is made available as a Public Domain Work, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Explosive Eruptions | Pyroclastic Flows

Keywords: pyroclastic density current (PDC) | pyroclastic surge | eruption | explosive eruption | ash | ash plume | plume | island volcano

Bárcena