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The 1943 Paricutín eruption that buried the town of San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico

A volcano that emerged from nowhere and grew rapidly, burying two nearby villages. Recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, it is one of the few volcanoes whose evolution, from birth to dormancy, has been observed and documented
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The 1943 Paricutín eruption that buried the town of San Juan Parangaricutiro, Mexico

San Juan Parangaricutiro was a small town in the Mexican state of Michoacán, known primarily for its agricultural character and quiet rural life.

Its name became permanently associated with one of the most dramatic geological events in modern history; the sudden emergence of the Paricutín volcano in 1943, completely out of the blue.

This article presents a chronological analysis of the incident, including the history of the town, the geologic features of the volcano, the timeline of the eruption and its aftermath.

A brief history of San Juan Parangaricutiro

San Juan Parangaricutiro was located in the highlands of Michoacán, approximately 30km (19 miles) west of Uruapan and 417km southwest of Mexico City.

Established during the colonial era by Franciscan friar Juan de San Miguel (Seville, Spain, 1529), renowned for his missionary efforts and the creation of several settlements in Michoacán, the town belonged to the Purépecha region and was inhabited by indigenous communities who spoke the Purépecha language.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
The only visible remnant of San Juan Parangaricutiro is its church bell tower, rising above the dense greenery that has slowly overtaken the lava.

Prior to the eruption, the town had an estimated population of around 500 to 600 inhabitants. The economy was primarily agrarian, based on maize and bean cultivation and local traditions were rooted in Catholicism and indigenous practices.

The town was relatively unknown outside the region until the events of 1943. There was no significant history of volcanic activity in the immediate area, though the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, to which the region belongs, is volcanically active.

The Paricutín Volcano, geological background

The Paricutín volcano represents a rare geological phenomenon; it is one of the few volcanoes in the world whose birth was witnessed and documented by humans from its inception.

Paricutín is a cinder cone volcano. Cinder cones are built from particles and blobs of congealed lava ejected from a single vent.

The eruption that formed Paricutín began on February 20, 1943 and continued for 9 years, ending in 1952. It ultimately reached a height of about 424 meters (1,391 feet) above the surrounding terrain and 3,170 meters (10,400 feet) above sea level.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
The church bell tower, rising above the hardened flow that once engulfed the town. Today, it is known as Santuario del Señor de los Milagros – Sanctuary of the Lord of Miracles, a name earned as the sole structure to withstand the relentless rivers of lava.

There were no specific warning systems in place in 1943 and no significant seismic activity was reported before the eruption. Local residents later recalled a series of rumbling sounds and small ground tremors in the days leading up to the event. The volcano’s eruption was sudden and forceful, characteristic of cinder cone volcanoes.

The Paricutín volcano is currently considered dormant, not extinct. It has not erupted since 1952, and there have been no significant signs of renewed activity. The surrounding area continues to be monitored by Mexican geological services but there is currently no indication of an impending eruption.

Timeline of the 1943 Eruption

The eruption of Paricutín began in a cornfield owned by local farmer Dionisio Pulido. The timeline of the event is one of the most detailed volcanic records available, due to the presence of both eyewitnesses and scientists.

Saturday, February 20, 1943 16:00 – Dionisio Pulido and his family were working in their field near the village of Paricutín (located about 4 kilometers – 2.5 miles from San Juan Parangaricutiro) when they noticed a sudden crack in the ground emitting sulfuric gas and small tremors.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
The Paricutín volcano as seen from the town in 1943, already reaching a considerable height. In its first year, it surged 410 meters (1,345 feet) from ground level.

17:00 – A fissure opened. Smoke, ash and stones began to be ejected. Flames were observed. Pulido fled and later described the sensation of intense heat and the rapid growth of the fissure.

During the evening, volcanic activity increased significantly. By nightfall, the eruption column was visible from miles away. Ashfall was reported in nearby towns.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
The town’s residents could do nothing but watch as the volcano steadily grew, until the evacuation began in June 1943.

Sunday, February 21, 1943 – The new cone had already grown several meters high. Lava and pyroclastic material were being expelled continuously. Authorities and scientists from Mexico City were alerted. Dr. “Atl” Gerardo Murillo, a Mexican geologist and artist, was among the first to document the event.

In the weeks and months that followed, from spring to summer of 1943, the volcano expanded at an astonishing rate. Within the first week, it had already surpassed 50 meters (165ft) in height, while molten lava steadily advanced toward San Juan Parangaricutiro.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
Locals gazing in awe as the towering mass of lava and ash steadily rose, reshaping the landscape before their eyes.

Since June 1943, residents were evacuated in stages. The town’s main church remained as a landmark but most of the town was eventually buried under lava and ash. The nearby village of Paricutín was also completely destroyed.

Between 1943 and 1952 the eruption continued intermittently for 9 years. The most active period was during the first year. Lava flows buried over 25 square kilometers (15 square miles) of land. The final phase of the eruption was characterized by the opening of secondary vents and diminishing explosive activity.

In 1952 the eruption ceased. The cone reached its final height of 424 meters (130ft) above the base. The lava cooled and the area entered a dormant state.

Aftermath; displacement, casualties and current status

The eruption resulted in minimal direct casualties, with three fatalities recorded. However, none of the deaths were officially attributed to lava flows or pyroclastic activity. This was due to the slow-moving nature of the lava and the timely evacuation of nearby communities.

San Juan Parangaricutiro and Paricutín were declared uninhabitable within months of the eruption. Residents were relocated primarily to a new town called Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, established several kilometers away.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
The church of San Juan Parangaricutiro, originally built in the 18th century, embodies the refined elegance of neoclassical architecture.

Agricultural land was rendered useless due to lava coverage, forcing economic changes for the displaced population.

The only surviving structure from the old town is the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro, which still stands partially buried in solidified lava. The preserved altar and tower stand as lasting monuments, serving as both a symbol and a landmark that honor the memory of the lost town.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
The altar remains carefully adorned, serving as a lasting tribute to the miraculous survival of the sacred site.

Today, the area is open to tourism, with both the Paricutín volcano and the preserved church standing as its main attractions. Many choose to hike to the summit or wander through the ruins that remain, offering a glimpse into the town’s past. Guided tours available from nearby towns like Angahuan.

The new town of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro has developed significantly since relocation and continues to maintain cultural links to the original settlement.

San Juan Parangaricutiro Paricutín volcano
The church frozen in time and molten lava.

The site is often regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, thanks to its documented birth and remarkable history.

Geologists and volcanologists continue to study Paricutín, recognizing it as a textbook example of cinder cone formation. Its documented sudden emergence and rapid evolution make it one of the most significant volcanic events of the 20th century.

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