What is going on at Cerro Prieto Volcano?

What's going on at Cerro Prieto

On April 4, 2010 a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Baja California, Mexico sending clouds of dust from hill sides into the air. This area is prone to earthquakes and earthquake swarms over recent years. The USGS in now showing red squares for all the newer earthquakes since the 7.2 earthquake with many, many aftershocks - but, are they aftershocks. Upon some research preformed by a wiz, we have found that these same small earthquakes with a few larger ones have been going on for months and months almost a year - maybe more - ongoing swarms. The USGS never showed us any of the red squares on there maps showing these quakes before unless they were larger - Why?

What is really going on at Cerro Prieto Volcano??

Here is what John Search has provided on Cerro Prieto. My search is now ongoing!

Great idea to start a new thread. I agree that it warrants it. The collaborative effort on ATS is amazing and the kind of stuff I love to read through.

S&F

With all of the other volcanic activity that is happening it wouldn't be suprising. I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Yes, I will be lazy and rely upon the ingenuity of my friends here.

reply to post by westcoast


Thank you Westcoast This whole idea had really began for me over the past few days because, I don't sleep well when things are not right in my head - here are few things from post I made on the Quake Watch thread that brought me to here.

This whole swarm - everything about it is odd!! -- it is almost reminds me a volcanic swarm! Something big is going on here!


I was just reviewing the quakes in the CA/MEX swarm. Did anyone notice that we did in fact have foreshocks to the 7.2? Is the 7.2 the main event or a foreshock? Heres a list of prior quakes to the 7.2.

MAP 2.7 2010/04/04 22:39:04 32.203 -115.306 5.7 21 km ( 13 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.3 2010/04/04 22:34:50 32.280 -115.274 10.0 15 km ( 10 mi) W of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 1.9 2010/04/04 17:45:15 32.186 -115.502 11.1 39 km ( 24 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.2 2010/04/04 17:19:07 32.305 -115.288 10.0 17 km ( 10 mi) W of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.2 2010/04/04 17:18:01 32.336 -115.281 7.0 17 km ( 10 mi) WNW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.1 2010/04/04 16:55:58 32.252 -115.311 10.0 19 km ( 12 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.4 2010/04/04 16:21:10 32.283 -115.293 10.0 17 km ( 11 mi) W of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 1.0 2010/04/04 16:16:54 32.721 -115.838 5.0 15 km ( 9 mi) E of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 1.1 2010/04/04 16:03:38 32.718 -115.840 5.5 15 km ( 9 mi) E of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 2.0 2010/04/04 15:09:25 32.354 -115.309 10.0 20 km ( 12 mi) WNW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.1 2010/04/04 15:07:54 32.359 -115.330 10.0 22 km ( 14 mi) WNW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 1.9 2010/04/04 14:02:48 32.585 -115.792 5.6 25 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 2.2 2010/04/04 10:44:54 32.580 -115.306 16.9 17 km ( 11 mi) ESE of Mexicali, Mexico
MAP 3.4 2010/04/04 09:36:25 32.227 -115.276 4.2 17 km ( 11 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 1.2 2010/04/04 09:07:30 32.998 -116.346 9.0 24 km ( 15 mi) ESE of Julian, CA
MAP 3.1 2010/04/04 07:51:37 32.248 -115.298 10.0 18 km ( 11 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 1.9 2010/04/04 05:25:44 32.213 -115.298 10.0 20 km ( 12 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.0 2010/04/04 05:11:32 32.236 -115.306 10.0 19 km ( 12 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.3 2010/04/04 05:05:07 32.137 -115.318 0.1 26 km ( 16 mi) SW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.1 2010/04/04 02:19:18 32.261 -116.597 14.0 34 km ( 21 mi) S of Tecate, Mexico
MAP 4.4 2010/04/03 23:03:46 32.167 -115.296 32.6 22 km ( 14 mi) SW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.2 2010/04/03 20:49:04 32.263 -115.302 33.2 18 km ( 11 mi) W of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 2.7 2010/04/03 19:38:51 32.290 -115.285 12.0 16 km ( 10 mi) W of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico

what the heck is going on there?
So, all of these ones that have been posted since the 7.2 are just your average ordinary day there? - excluding some of the larger events?
This makes no sense to me!! - Do you have any ideas?
Was there some sort of trigger event that started this? - I will have to investigate

I do think that this might want to be it's own thread - I thought I smelled volcano with all these quakes in CA/Mex.



Here is a map showing recent activity

[edit on 8-4-2010 by Anmarie96]

Looking at that map, you can clearly see where all the quakes line up in nice, clean rows....right up the fault line (even color co-ordinated).

Here is another MAP of the historical seismisity for the region. (have fun trying to read that).

I guess my question, is where exactly in relation to these quakes is this volcano? How does it all tie into the 'fault line' action, and when exactly did all the action start? What was the 'background' noise prior to that, and how about any local seismographs? Any sign of HT (harmonic tremor), or historical info for past erruptions?

Inquiring minds want to know.....

Okay, my interest being spiked I read through the article you provided a link to. It doesn't go into too much detail, but I see what you are getting at. Here is one statement taken from it:

The volcano is located in a transition between the East Pacific Rise and the strike-slip San Andreas fault system. It is one of the few areas where on-land spreading is observed.

The article also states that the magma body is located about 5-6 km below the surface. In going back through the hundreds of quakes, it is distrubing to see that a WHOLE lot of those are very shallow, whithin that depth.

So far, I am with you on this one. This should be getting much more attention than it is. It also puts a different spin on the mountain range with the dust coming off of it. Hmmmmm.....

Edit to add:

Found this:

Cucupas Indian legends described a monster that covered the land with hot rocks, which grew through the soil and emitted fire tongues, a possible reference to the growth of the volcano.

LINK


[edit on 8-4-2010 by westcoast]

reply to post by westcoast


I am just getting started on my research but I find This Odd - alot of things about this area is odd!

Here is a good recorder for the area. I will update more later - or if anyone wants to throw some in from IRIS that would be helpfull. I have been watching since the 4th event and have not noticed any HT.

What is a little unsettling is that this volcanic field - mentioned in my original post is affecting the faults going up the coast - and sending ripples up them. The quakes are rattling the fault setting off more tectonic quakes - it's like the domino effect

Here is a good article - Folks, we have a Caldera here!!!!!!!!! The ridge in the backround sure looks like the one posted on U-tube

So there isn't much info out there, but from what I can see it is considered a dormant volcano that according to indian lore last errupted about 10,000 years ago. There is a magma chamber about 5-6 km below the surface that fuels steam generators built near it that can power up to 80% of Baja's electrical needs. (according to linked article)


geothermal field

This second article sites that there last was a swarm back in 2008 and talks about it's unique postion along the intersecting faults. SO...if there really is this kind of activity going on anywhere near this volcano, I would think a whole lotta people would be paying attention. This kind of activity in that region (as you have pointed out) could be HUGE indicator for the other fault systems. I would really like to know what is happenig with the geothermal system. I am going to do some searching on it!

more interesting info

Edit to add:

Here is another very informative article on the geothermal field. There appears to be a link between fluid extracting and earthquakes. Kinda says something....don't ya think? It supplies a WHOLE lotta power. I would really like to know what is happening there right now.

And you are right. There is a slide slow at the bottom of this article and the mountain range looks like the one in the videos with all the dust rising off of it.

Link

[edit on 8-4-2010 by westcoast]

reply to post by westcoast


Yes indeed we are on to something here. Just the fact that there is limited information along with all the red squares that should have been on the map for a long time and weren't --- speaks volumes - IMHO.

So I found the co-ordinates for the volcano. Here it is:

32.418 N
115.305 W

You can go to google earth and look it up....it is very visible, as well as the geothermal field right next to it.

So are you ready for the co-ordinates of the main earthquake?

32.259 N
115.287 W

All the other quakes are right along those same lines. I think this says it all.

reply to post by westcoast


I think is says it all too! So, here is a list of all the 3+ mag quakes for the past day - just to give a feel - there are many, many, many more smaller quakes - just for today - Let's see if I can get it to post in one post - here goes

MAG UTC DATE-TIME
y/m/d h:m:s LAT
deg LON
deg DEPTH
km LOCATION
MAP 3.1 2010/04/09 00:26:34 32.665 -115.916 10.5 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 4.1 2010/04/09 00:19:00 32.288 -115.382 26.8 26 km ( 16 mi) W of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/09 00:00:59 32.495 -115.679 12.1 26 km ( 16 mi) SW of Mexicali, Mexico

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAP 3.4 2010/04/08 23:56:08 32.621 -115.800 0.7 22 km ( 13 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 23:55:10 32.592 -115.777 2.8 24 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.7 2010/04/08 22:47:00 32.228 -115.224 15.9 13 km ( 8 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 22:23:09 32.668 -115.917 11.3 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.2 2010/04/08 22:22:43 32.736 -115.951 6.3 4 km ( 3 mi) E of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.7 2010/04/08 21:52:32 59.817 -152.526 79.5 43 km ( 26 mi) W of Anchor Point, AK
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 21:32:50 32.220 -115.396 30.6 28 km ( 17 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 21:26:09 32.042 -115.266 20.4 31 km ( 19 mi) SSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 21:14:29 32.682 -115.899 5.4 11 km ( 7 mi) SE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.4 2010/04/08 21:01:11 32.679 -115.924 4.5 10 km ( 6 mi) SE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 19:38:35 32.157 -115.381 3.7 29 km ( 18 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 19:27:36 32.640 -115.827 6.6 19 km ( 12 mi) SE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 19:14:34 32.224 -115.425 19.3 31 km ( 19 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 17:50:04 32.611 -115.761 2.9 21 km ( 13 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 17:48:39 32.572 -115.760 0.8 25 km ( 16 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 17:48:17 32.615 -115.755 1.7 21 km ( 13 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 17:34:58 32.157 -115.281 6.4 22 km ( 14 mi) SW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 17:29:28 32.431 -115.574 13.5 26 km ( 16 mi) SSW of Mexicali, Mexico
MAP 3.4 2010/04/08 16:54:33 32.655 -115.838 5.7 18 km ( 11 mi) ESE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.5 2010/04/08 16:54:13 32.639 -115.812 0.0 21 km ( 13 mi) SW of Seeley, CA
MAP 5.3 2010/04/08 16:44:25 32.220 -115.276 10.0 17 km ( 11 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 4.5 2010/04/08 15:44:58 32.590 -115.769 2.3 24 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.4 2010/04/08 15:08:08 32.074 -115.261 0.0 28 km ( 17 mi) SSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 15:06:35 32.384 -115.562 0.0 31 km ( 19 mi) SSW of Mexicali, Mexico
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 15:04:40 32.086 -115.217 0.0 25 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 14:26:05 32.589 -115.783 2.5 24 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.2 2010/04/08 13:46:56 32.132 -115.346 12.9 28 km ( 18 mi) SW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.7 2010/04/08 12:38:44 32.657 -115.850 14.7 17 km ( 10 mi) SE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 12:03:31 32.136 -115.440 6.8 35 km ( 22 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 11:38:14 32.195 -115.205 2.0 14 km ( 9 mi) SW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 10:14:08 31.909 -115.115 10.0 42 km ( 26 mi) S of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 10:04:27 32.237 -115.328 0.0 21 km ( 13 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 09:47:59 32.076 -115.270 0.2 28 km ( 17 mi) SSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 09:45:31 32.075 -115.268 12.1 28 km ( 18 mi) SSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 08:35:45 32.077 -115.216 0.3 26 km ( 16 mi) SSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 08:06:32 32.599 -115.798 1.7 24 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 05:45:42 32.156 -115.256 4.0 20 km ( 13 mi) SW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 05:36:47 32.069 -115.277 6.5 29 km ( 18 mi) SSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.5 2010/04/08 04:46:12 32.127 -115.068 0.4 18 km ( 11 mi) SSE of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 04:13:42 32.370 -115.554 0.1 32 km ( 20 mi) SSW of Mexicali, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 03:37:46 32.368 -115.582 3.5 33 km ( 21 mi) SSW of Mexicali, Mexico
MAP 3.9 2010/04/08 03:27:51 32.366 -115.567 0.1 33 km ( 21 mi) SSW of Mexicali, Mexico
MAP 3.6 2010/04/08 03:22:32 32.707 -115.893 0.1 10 km ( 6 mi) ESE of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.6 2010/04/08 03:22:07 32.620 -116.143 4.6 4 km ( 3 mi) E of Jacumba Hot Springs, CA
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 02:53:06 32.723 -116.048 3.2 5 km ( 3 mi) WSW of Ocotillo, CA
MAP 3.2 2010/04/08 02:52:56 32.657 -115.812 4.4 19 km ( 12 mi) SW of Seeley, CA
MAP 4.5 2010/04/08 02:47:56 32.657 -115.761 1.2 16 km ( 10 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.2 2010/04/08 02:41:38 32.204 -115.393 12.2 28 km ( 18 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 02:38:20 32.585 -115.787 3.8 25 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 02:08:23 32.678 -115.812 1.8 17 km ( 11 mi) SW of Seeley, CA
MAP 3.0 2010/04/08 01:49:53 32.314 -115.413 19.7 29 km ( 18 mi) W of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.1 2010/04/08 01:44:33 32.624 -116.149 2.9 4 km ( 2 mi) E of Jacumba Hot Springs, CA
MAP 3.3 2010/04/08 01:11:04 32.172 -115.269 12.2 20 km ( 12 mi) SW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico
MAP 3.4 2010/04/08 00:36:02 32.593 -115.792 2.9 24 km ( 15 mi) SSW of Seeley, CA
MAP 4.2 2010/04/08 00:25:38 32.256 -115.261 33.5 15 km ( 9 mi) WSW of Guadalupe Victoria, Mexico


[edit on 8-4-2010 by Anmarie96]

Good thread, Annmarie - will get my teeth into it later after I've stopped chasing volcanoes in Italy S&F

8 links down on a search of Cerro Prieto Volcano on google... a link to this thread.

reply to post by Phlynx



- Here's to the Awesome power of ATS and all that contribute - clink -

Originally posted by westcoast
So I found the co-ordinates for the volcano.

Great thread and here is a link to the Volcano on google maps, looks rather small to me compared to other volcano's

maps.google.co.uk...,19.824829&sspn=1.37792,2.469177&ie=UTF8&hq=baja+CA&radius=15000.000000& split=1&hnear=&ll=32.418751,-115.306664&spn=0.013132,0.027466&t=h&z=16

I also looked around the area and found this, is this another volcano ?

maps.google.co.uk...,19.824829&sspn=1.37792,2.469177&ie=UTF8&hq=baja+CA&radius=15000.000000& split=1&hnear=&ll=31.874642,-113.374443&spn=0.211374,0.439453&t=h&z=12

It's got alot of craters in it, distance is about 100km but is there a possibility it could be or have once been connected to Cerro Prieto or part of a caldera or something ?

Very interesting thread, I love these earthquake & volcano threads, makes for interesting reading

reply to post by Anmarie96

Bravo now ur talking

reply to post by Discotech


Hello :-) - one thing though - the links you provided - show somewhere else - :-)

Oh - Thank you BobatHome

[edit on 8-4-2010 by Anmarie96]

reply to post by Anmarie96


On a side note, did you see all the unique dirt drawing's in the caldera of the volcano, interesting...

reply to post by Anmarie96


Yeah.... I hate google maps.

Anyway search for el pinacate in google maps and you'll see what I mean about another Volcano

Can anyone explain the apparant smallness or Cerro Prieto though ?

reply to post by freetree64


Hi Freetree :-) - no I missed the drawings - would you post again - I got involved with a quake off of Oregon and such