Pico de Orizaba is the highest stratovolcano in Mexico and considered to be active. Apart from a possible threat derived directly from a future eruption, large volcanic edifices like Pico de Orizaba, which are characterized by steep slopes, scarce vegetation cover on the upper cone (above 4000 m asl), and large quantities of unconsolidated material (volcanoclastic and glaciation-related) affected by different types of erosion and also hydrothermal activity, pose a considerable threat of secondary lahars and other mass movements. The existence of a glacier draining the Jamapa watershed needs a particular consideration in this context.
Here, we present the first results of the SEG-GWB sponsored project: geophysical analysis employing Georadar and seismics on the Jamapa glacier and the proglacial ramp and analysis the parameters that influence these events’ formation (trigger), including rainfall and seismic activity.