El Chichón Volcano, also known as Chichonal, is showing activity again. This volcano is located in the northwest of the state of Chiapas and is infamous for its terrible eruption in 1982.
At that time it had taken thousands of lives and destroyed the entire area. Now in 2025-2026, scientists have seen new signs, due to which they are losing sleep. Researchers from UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) were monitoring from June to December 2025 and found many changes in the crater.
danger sign
The color of the crater lake changed from green to grey, the amount of sulphate and silica increased. The temperature of the lake reached 118 degrees Celsius, which is higher than boiling water. Gases like hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide are boiling, strange formations of sulfur are visible. Seismic activity increased from June to August 2025, many small earthquakes occurred, the magnitude went from 1.4 to 3.6. This movement continues in 2026 too, with more than 100 earthquakes recorded in the last week. Scientists say that this is hydrothermal arrest, that is, activity related to hot water and gases which is limited to the crater. Right now fresh magma is not coming up, so the risk of a big eruption like 1982 is less. But small phreatic explosions (steam explosions) may occur.
Scientists are worried
Dr. Patricia Jacome Paz said that these changes are in the crater system, but monitoring is necessary. The 1982 eruption was Mexico’s largest volcanic disaster. There were three major explosive eruptions in March-April, which were of VEI 5 level. Pyroclastic flow and surge completely wiped out 9 villages. Between 1900 and 3500 people were killed. Ash fell up to 40 cm, coffee, cocoa and banana crops were destroyed. Global temperature was affected by sulfur dioxide. According to NASA, this eruption heated the stratosphere. People died during prayer in the church, because buildings had collapsed in the first earthquake. Then people returned home, but the most dangerous explosion occurred in April.
Will history repeat itself?
Now its photos and videos are going viral on social media, changing color of Jasmine Crater Lake, boiling gases, sulfur crystals are visible. People are commenting, “Will 1982 be repeated again?” Or “The scientists are right!” The Protection Civil of Chiapas bans entry into the crater because the gases are dangerous and the ground is unstable. Yellow Alert Phase 1 continues in the area. The crater was closed a few months ago, but now visitors are being allowed at some places, but with strict rules. Scientists say that El Chichon is active, but there is no major danger yet. Nevertheless, after 40 years of peace, this sign is worrying. This volcano is in the tectonic zone, where such movements occur due to the movement of plates. UNAM and CENAPRED are continuously collecting data. If seismicity increases or magma movement is seen, the alert level will increase.