You’ve probably heard of the famous ancient Roman ruin of Pompeii, but what about the ruined villages of Paricutin and San Juan Parangaricutiro? Destroyed in the early 1940s by the sudden emergence of Paricutin volcano, all that remains are these cathedral ruins.The town was completely blanketed after the eruption of Volcán de Parícutin in 1943.
For the next eight years, lava flowed freely, burying the town underneath feet of volcanic rock – though its church survived unscathed.
The volcanic eruption was particularly unique as its entire evolution was observed and studied.
Many also consider this volcano, and adjacent lava-covered village, to be one of the natural wonders of the world.
Under the church, houses and other buildings remain buried, though thankfully no residents were injured during the extended eruption.
While some like to believe that it’s ability to withstand the lava was an act from above, the solid slabs used to build the structure have also been credited.
