Cerro Mohinora Explained

Cerro Mohinora
Elevation M:3300
Elevation Ref:[1] [2]
Prominence M:873
Parent Peak:Cerro Gordo[3]
Map:Mexico Chihuahua#Mexico
Label Position:left
Listing:Mountain peaks of Mexico
Location:Guadalupe y Calvo Municipality, Chihuahua, Mexico
Coordinates:25.9561°N -107.0478°W
Topo:Mountain Peak
Type:Extinct
Age:Paleogene
Volcanic Arc/Belt:Sierra Madre Occidental
Embedded:
Cerro Mohinora Flora and Fauna Protection Area
Iucn Category:VI
Iucn Ref:[4]
Area Ha:9126
Designation:flora and fauna protection area
Designated:2015
Administrator:National Commission of Natural Protected Areas

Cerro Mohinora is an extinct volcano that is part of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range in the Mexican state of Chihuahua located in the municipality of Guadalupe y Calvo. Cerro Mohinora is the highest point in the state of Chihuahua reaching an elevation of 3,300 m (10,827 ft) above sea level. The climate of the mountain is extremely cold in the winter and temperate to semi-cold in the summer.

Geology

The mountain began to form during Paleogene geologic period characterized by intense volcanic activity in the area throwing lava and ash onto the surrounding plateau and creating the Sierra Madre Occidental. Cerro Mohinora was raised to an elevation over 3,300 m above sea level during the Pleistocene by intense tectonic activity. The mountain is mainly composed of igneous rock.

Climate

Using the Köppen climate classification the climate of the mountain is humid continental climate (Dfb). Summers are cool with temperatures rarely reaching 25 °C (77 °F) and summer lows fall below 10 °C (50 °F) regularly. There are heavy rainstorms from June to October. Winters are very cold with maximum high reaching 0 °C (32 °F) and reaching a maximum low of -31 °C (-24 °F). Winter snowstorms with high winds are common and typically over 1 meter (~3 ft) of snow per season.

Cerro Mohinora Flora and Fauna Protection Area

Cerro Mohinora Flora and Fauna Protection Area was designated in 2015. It covers an area of 91.26 km2, which includes the peak and extends to the north and east.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Perspectiva Estadística de Chihuahua. 10. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI). 2010.
  2. The elevation given by INEGI mapping is 3,300 m.
  3. http://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=12010 Mexico State High Points
  4. UNEP-WCMC (2021). Protected Area Profile for Cerro Mohinora from the World Database of Protected Areas. Accessed 4 September 2021. https://www.protectedplanet.net/555599658