Paricutin

Volcano, western Michoacn state, west-central Mexico. It is about 9,210 ft (2,808 m) high and is one of the youngest volcanoes on Earth. It began to erupt in an open field in 1943 and buried the village of Parcutin. The eruption finally ceased in 1952.

Parícutin (pärē'kūtēn), active volcano, c.8,200 ft (2,500 m) high, Michoacán state, W central Mexico. In one of the most spectacular eruptions of modern times, Parícutin burst forth from a cornfield on Feb. 20, 1943, and grew discontinuously until 1952, spewing forth over a billion tons of lava. It buried the town of San Juan Parangaricutiro and the village of Parícutin, whence its name. The cone is a remarkable example of volcanic growth, and its development was closely studied by international scientific teams.