The ~Â 23,500Â y 14C BP White Pumice Plinian eruption and associated debris avalanche and Tochimilco lava flow of Popocatépetl volcano, México

During the course of this catastrophic eruption (VEI = 5) a total volume of ~ 6.3 km3 (DRE) of juvenile magma (pumice and lava) were emitted and at least an additional ~ 10 km3 of pre-existing rocks (debris avalanche) mobilized. It surpasses in magnitude most other known Plinian eruptions from Popocatépetl and can be envisaged as an example of a worst-case scenario for hazard evaluation purposes. It dramatically changed the morphology of the volcano and had profound and far-reaching effects beyond its immediate vicinity along rivers draining surrounding plains as well as on the lacustrine basins (e.g. Chalco) to the NE. A repeat of such an eruption in this densely populated area would certainly cause a major calamity of unprecedented dimensions.