Bárcena Volcano, 1952: a 60-year report on the repopulation of San Benedicto Island, Mexico, with a review of the ecological impacts of disastrous events

A 60-year study of San Benedicto Island, part of Mexico's Revillagigedo Archipelago, reveals the resilience and recovery dynamics following a catastrophic volcanic eruption in 1952. The eruption of Bárcena Volcano devastated the island, causing widespread extinctions—including an endemic rock wren—and drastically altering its flora and fauna. Despite these losses, the island has shown remarkable ecological recovery, with land crabs expanding their range and sea bird populations fluctuating significantly, particularly among masked boobies and shearwaters. A notable new addition to the island's avifauna is the red-footed booby, which established itself following the creation of a lava delta. The study also highlights the impact of erosion and accidental introductions on the island's vegetation, underscoring both the fragility and adaptability of its ecosystems.

Brattstrom, B. H. (2015). Bárcena Volcano, 1952: a 60-year report on the repopulation of San Benedicto Island, Mexico, with a review of the ecological impacts of disastrous events. Pacific Conservation Biology, 21(1), 38–59. https://doi.org/10.1071/pc14903