The Paricutin Volcano is considered one of the world's natural wonders because she was the fastest growing volcano ever recorded in history. It grew up to 150 feet in just six days. The volcano is located in the geographical region called the Plateau of Mexico. Farmers have actually witnessed it's daily growth. The Paricutin volcano is known as the “The volcano from a cornfield” because the volcano literally grew out of a cornfield.

The volcano is located at 19.5°N, 102.2°W. The volcano is just outside a city called Michoacan, 200 miles west of Mexico City. Her elevation is 10,400 feet. The volcano grew that tall in just nine years. When the volcano stopped erupting in 1952, 10,000- acres of embers and hardened lava lay at the foot of the volcano, nearly a third of a mile in height. The lava covered a small village in which only the top of a small bell tower stood covering the church.

The volcano is located in the climate region known as the Tierra Caliente. This region includes places up to 3,000 feet above sea level. This zone has long, hot summers with mild winters and no frost. The regions average winter temperatures are 59 to 68°F. The average summer temperatures are 77 to 86°F. The average yearly rainfall is about 20 to 40".

There is not really any vegetation on the volcano because of all of the hard lava but there are some plants in the region the volcano is located in. For instance, there are cactus forests. Also there are forests of tree ferns, oak trees, and pine trees. In the forests are mossy carpets of orchids and other flowers such as, bromeliads and begonias.

There are many different kinds of animals near the volcano. There are predators such as mountain lion, coyote, and jaguars. There are other animals such as jackrabbits, armadillos, coatis, and tapirs. There are a lot of birds also. Some of these are dove, quail, herons, and egrets. Mexico has over 460 species of snakes most of which are non-poisonous.

The Paricutin volcano is so special because farmers actually got to witness it being formed. The volcano is also special because she grew so quickly. The volcano grew up to 150 feet in 6 days. It is now 10,400 feet tall. She grew that tall in just 9 years. It was the fastest growing volcano ever in history.

I learned many things from this experience. I learned why the Paricutin Volcano is so special. Before I started studying  volcanoes I had never heard of volcanoes forming so quickly . There are a lot of things to learn about volcanoes.  She is one of the most amazing natural wonders there is. I would love to go and see the volcano close up someday.