Neoglacial to Recent Glacier Fluctuations on the Volcano Popocatépetl, Mexico

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: White, Sidney E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1981
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000015434; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000015434

Abstract Neoglacial to historic and recent fluctuations of the firn field and one glacier on Popocatépetl, Mexico, include advance prior to 1519 to possible mid-Neoglaciation stadial position on gentle, north flanks at 4 150 m, then retreat up-valley to 4 335 m by 1906, and to 4 435 m by 1920 at 7 m/year. After volcanic eruptions and melting to about 4 800 m in 1921, growth of firn field and advance of a thin ice lobe before 1949 to 4 573 m by 1950, then retreat in next eight years at about 34 m/year, re-advance of the firn edge as an ice bulge to about 4 700 m by 1968, and as a thick double-lobed glacier to about 4 600 m by 1978 and 1979. A 37 year crevasse study shows continuous active firn-field movement on the north-west side of the cone.