Colima's Volcano is the most active volcano in Mexico, and has erupted more than 40 times since 1576.
Despite its name, only a fraction of the volcano's surface area is contained within the state of Colima; the majority of its surface area lies just over the border in the neighboring state of Jalisco, toward the western end of the Eje Volcánico Transversal mountain range. It is about 485 km (301 mi) west of Mexico City and 125 km (78 mi) south of Guadalajara, Jalisco.
There are actually two peaks in the volcano complex: Nevado de Colima (4330 metres), which is older and inactive, lies about 5 kilometres north of the younger and very active 3860 metre Volcán de Colima (also called Volcán de Fuego de Colima). Since 1869-1878, a parasitic set of domes, collectively known as El Volcancito, have formed on the northeast flank of the main cone of Colima's volcano .