🌋VolcanoAtlas

San Borja Volcanic Field

Volcanic field in Mexico

Key Facts

Elevation

1,360 m (4,462 ft)

Type

Volcanic field

Location

28.500°, -113.750°

Region

Gulf of California Rift Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The San Borja (or El Rosarito) volcanic field, is located in central Baja California NE of the Vizcaino Peninsula. Holocene lava flows occur at Rosarito and Morro San Domingo at the western end of the field along the coast north of the Vizcaino Peninsula. Some lava flows are less vegetated than flows of the San Quintín volcanic field to the north that overlie 5,000-6,000 year-old midden deposits (Rogers et al.

, 1985). The Holocene lava flows in the western part of this alkalic volcanic field are of basaltic andesite and andesitic composition.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

    Risk Level

    Population at RiskModerate
    Infrastructure RiskModerate
    Aviation RiskSignificant

    Geological Composition & Structure

    Rock Types

    Primary
    Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
    Silica Content
    Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

    Tectonic Setting

    Rift zone
    Continental rift or intraplate setting with varied eruptive styles.

    Age & Formation

    Epoch
    Holocene
    Evidence
    Evidence Credible

    Eruption Statistics & Analysis

    MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
    Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
    Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
    Recent ActivityUnknownHistoricalHistorically active

    Monitoring & Alert Status

    Monitoring Networks

    Global Volcanism Program
    International eruption database

    Current Status

    Normal
    No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

    Nearby Volcanoes in Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions

    Regional Volcanic Activity
    The Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

    Quick Info

    • Smithsonian ID: 341007
    • Evidence: Evidence Credible
    • Epoch: Holocene

    About the Photo

    The ridge in the background is a thick basaltic andesite lava flow of probable Holocene in age that is part of the San Borja Volcanic Field. The flow is seen here from State Highway 1 in central Baja California. The sparsely vegetated flow is one of many younger lava flows of the field.

    Photo by Andy Saunders, 1984 (University of Leichester).

    Basic Information

    This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.