In late April 1982, following a series of powerful explosive eruptions from March 28 to April 4 that created a new 1-km-wide crater at El Chichón volcano, a lake began forming on the crater floor. By November the lake was up to 600 m wide and about 120 m deep. Vigorous steam plumes rise from fumaroles below the west crater wall in this March 28, 1983 photo. In January 1983 the lake was hot (52-58 degrees Centigrade) and acidic (pH of 0.5).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1983.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

El Chichón