Scaling laws of the size-distribution of monogenetic volcanoes within the Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field (Mexico)

The Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field displays about 1040 monogenetic volcanoes mainly composed of basaltic cinder cones. This monogenetic volcanic field is the consequence of a dextral transtensive tectonic regime within the Transmexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB), the largest intra continental volcanic arc around the world, related to the subduction of the Rivera and Cocos plates underneath the North American Plate. We performed a statistical analysis for the size-distribution of the basal diameter (Wco) for cinder cones. Dataset used here was compiled by Hasenaka and Carmichael (1985). Monogenetic volcanoes obey a power-law very similar to the Gutenberg–Richter law for earthquakes, with respect to their size-distribution: log10 (N >= Wco) = α − β log10(Wco), with β = 5.01 and α = 2.98. Therefore, the monogenetic volcanoes exhibit a (Wco) size-distribution empirical power-law, suggesting a self-organized criticality phenomenon.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights► Size-distribution of basal diameter Wco for monogenetic volcanoes obeys a power-law. ► Log10 [N(size ≥Wco)] = α – β log10[Wco]. ► β-value defines the rate of occurrence between small and large m-volcanoes. ► This power-law is interpreted as a self-organized criticality phenomenon. ► This empirical law can be applied to future volcanic hazard assessment.