The Evolution of the Popocatépetl Volcanic Complex: Constraints on Periodic Edifice Construction and Destruction by Sector Collapse

Popocatepetl is one of the most active volcanoes in North America. Its current predominantly mild activity is contrasted by a history of large effusive and explosive eruptions and sector collapse events, which was first summarised by Espinasa-Perena and Martin-Del Pozzo (2006). Since then, a wealth of new radiometric, geophysical and volcanological data has been published, requiring a re-evaluation of the evolution of the Popocatepetl Volcanic Complex (PVC). Herein, we combine existing literature with new field observations, aerial imagery and digital elevation model interpretations to produce an updated and improved reconstruction of the growth and evolution of the PVC through all of its history. This will be fundamental for the assessment and mitigation of risks associated with potential future high-magnitude activity of the PVC. The PVC consists of four successive volcanic edifices separated by three sector collapse events producing avalanche deposits: Tlamacas (>538 - >330 ka, described here for the first time), Nexpayantla (∼330 - >96 ka), Ventorrillo (∼96 ka - 23.5 ka) and Popocatepetl ( Supplementary material:https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5709190