Paricutin

Mexico is built on volcanoes. We're used to mountains and volcanoes now, so this pic might not be super exciting.
Except that this volcano is only about 70 years old!
In 1943, a farmer family noticed lava and ash coming through their fields. They initially tried to scoop dirt into the fissure, but quickly realized that running was the best idea. Within a week, the volcano was 5 stories tall. It kept erupting, slowly, for a year, until the eruption had caused the population to leave the town and create a new town 20 km away. After a year of eruption the volcano was over 1100ft. tall and the volcanic rock had covered the entire town.


Well, almost the entire town. The lava flow left the 2 belltowers of the old cathedral standing, as well as the altar. Town residents saw this as a sign from God. Whether it was a sign of thankfulness for their prior piety or a warning to future generations is unsure, but either way the Mexicans feel that visiting this site is really important.


Not important enough to build a road or a safe bridge, but important enough to drive for hours over ashy roads up a mountain and then climb over a pile of rocks. I didn't feel confident enough to get right up to the altar, but it was pretty amazing to climb over the volcanic rocks.