Pico de Orizaba and the volcanic belt that runs across Mexico
Background
The snow and ice-clad peak of Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltepetl, has a summit elevation of 5675 meters (18619 feet) above sea level, making it the highest peak in Mexico and North America's highest volcano. It is one of three volcanic peaks in Mexico - together with Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl - that retain summit glaciers. Pico de Orizaba is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt that extends roughly east-west across Mexico. The stratovolcano has a 300 meter deep summit crater, and several lava flows extend down its flanks with prominent cooling ridges along their sides known as flow levees. The last recorded eruption took place in 1846; the volcano is considered dormant at present, while geologists continue to investigate the potential hazards associated with a renewal of activity. The extinct Sierra Negra volcano to the southwest has a summit elevation of 4640 meters (15,223 feet) above sea level and is also one of Mexico's highest peaks.
In plain words
Stratovolcano Stratovolcano — A steep cone built up from alternating layers of lava and ash.
Flow levee Flow levee — A ridge of cooled lava left along the edge of a lava flow, which makes the flow easy to trace later.
Dormant volcano Dormant volcano — A volcano that has not erupted in recorded recent times but is not judged extinct.