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NOTES ON PARICUTIN VOLCANO 
December 1, 1945 - March 31, 1946 
Celedonio Gutierrez 
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Translated and edited by William F. Foshag 
Note: Celedonio Guitierrez is a native of San Juan Parangutiro, the largest 
town in the vicinity of the volcano, end now destroyed. From the very be- 
ginning of the outbreak of the volcano he maintained a diary of its activity 
as something to pass on to his children. Although a man of limited educa- 
tion, Gutierrez has a great deal of native intelligence, is thoroughly 
familiar with tie natural history of the area and has proved to be a competent 
observer of the volcano’s activity. The early sections of the diary were 
loaned to Sr. Ing. Ezequiel Ordoifez, Mexican geologist, who has been very 
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active in studying Paricutin, and they will be edited and published by him. 
In 1945 Celedonio Gutierrez was employed by the Committee for the Study 
of Paricutin as caretaker of the buildings at the camp, with instructions to 
continue his observations for the committee. Although these notes are 
couched in simple terms, they constitute the only complete record of the 
volcano’s activity and have the advantage of being free of any preconceived 
notions of what the volcano should do. The occasional reference to the 
trajedy that has befallen the region is an indication of his attachment to 
his tierra. 
Additional installments will appear as they are received. 
