Matlalcueitl (volcano)
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| Matlalcueitl | |
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 Matlalcueitl |
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| Elevation | 4,462 metres (14,639 ft) |
| Location | Tlaxcala, Mexico / Puebla, Mexico |
| Range | Cordillera Anahuac |
| Coordinates | |
| Type | stratovolcano |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt |
| Last eruption | 3,100 years ago |
| Easiest route | hiking trail |
- For additional meanings, see Matlalcueitl and La Malinche.
La Malinche mountain, also known as Matlalcuéyetl, Matlalcueitl or Malintzin, is an inactive volcano (dormant for the last 3,100 years) located in Tlaxcala and Puebla states, in Mexico. Officially, its summit reaches 4,461 meters (14646 ft) above sea level, though in some articles it is considered to be 4,503 m (as measured by GPS). Its height makes it the highest peak in Tlaxcala, the fifth highest in Puebla, the sixth highest in Mexico, and the 252nd highest in the world. Its height above nearby cities varies from 1,908 meters above Huamantla, 2461 meters above Villa Vicente Guerrero, 2,221 meters above Tlaxcala to 2,299 meters above Puebla. The summit is 22.4 km from Tlaxcala, 28.3 km from Puebla, and 118 km from Mexico City. The climate is cold on the summit and mild on its lower slopes.
The Tlaxcaltecs named it Matlalcuéyetl, which in English means "Lady of the Blue Skirts," a goddess of rain and song. The Spanish changed its name to "Malintzin" and/or "Malinche", in honor of a woman from the current Tabasco state, called Malinalli, who helped the Spanish as a translator.
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[edit] Location
Located in the (Parque Nacional La Malinche) in the southwest of Tlaxcala state, and at the center of Puebla state, (latitude 19° 05' - 19° 22' N and longitude 97° 53' - 98° 12' W) this volcano is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The park is, the fifth largest of the 85 parks in México. It covers an area of 458.52 km² (113,304 acres), of which 68.5% belongs to Tlaxcala state and 31.5% to Puebla state. The diameter of the park is approximately 24 km.
[edit] Formation
La Malinche mountain is an active stratovolcano which began to form in the middle of the Paleogene period, 30-35 million years ago. Since that time it has has grown through eruptions, some violent and some gentle. The last eruption is believed to have occurred 3100 years ago. This volcano is a cone with extensive slopes. At the foot of this mountain are some other summits, like Xaltonele peak, Xalapaxco crater and the 450 meter Cuatlapanga; the latter is a famous summit. At present, La Malinche is apparently quiet, although some "strange noises" have been reported by local peasants. On lower slopes are forests transitioning from oak to oyamel with increasing elevation. The upper slopes are grasslands. The summit is covered by snow and is considered to be the coldest location in Tlaxcala. On the lower slopes the climate is mild, but rainy. The soils are rocky and sandy. The dark and porous forest soils were formed from volcanic ash. From La Malinche streams flow in all directions. At the base of the mountain emerge many springs, some of drinkable water, and others of thermal water heated in the volcano's interior.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
Castro-Govea, R.; Siebe, C.; Abrams, M. (2001) Recent Eruptive History of La Malinche Volcano, Mexico: Towards the Construction of a Hazards Map, Eos Transactions, AGU, 82(47), Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract V42C-1030
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