Paricutín volcano. Mexico. 1944.

Gelatin silver print -9.3 x 14.3 cm / 3.66 x 5.63 in.- with its white edges. On the back, typewritten legend, written on a paper that was pasted here: "Mexico - Paricutin Volcano / photo Rosuno Amaro, A. / tiene ficha (R.5 / II / 44)". Good copy.

Considered the youngest volcano on the planet, it was "born" on February 20, 1943, when a peasant who works the land in the vicinity of the Parangaricutiro town felt tremors, saw the earth open, thick steam rise and stones fly. His prompt notice to the people prevented the loss of human life. But nine years later, that volcano erupted and the lava buried two towns: Paricutín and San Juan Parangaricutiro (Parhikutini and Parangarikutirhu in Purépecha). The first literally disappeared and very close to its original location, is now the crater of the volcano. Of the second, only part of the church is visible. The cone of the volcano, born in the plain, was rising and reached 200 and 365 meters in height in four and eight months, respectively.

This photograph shows it days after the first anniversary of its maiden eruption, still emanating thick smoke. Mountains of stones and rivers of lava carried away all signs of life in their surroundings. The image allows us to notice a small testimony of that one; as an exception, some branches of a dry tree on the right.

S.O.IV-OMM