Talk:Volcán Tacaná

Topographic prominence

I cannot find a precise topographic prominence for Volcán Tacaná, but I believe it most likely exceeds 1500 m (4,921 feet). The Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program states that the peak rises 1800 m above the surrounding terrain. Peakery.com indicates that the peak is an ultra-prominent summit, but does not provide a measurement of prominence. At one time, peakbagger.com gave a prominence value of 2273 m for Volcán Tacaná, but this reference has since been removed from the page. I believe Volcán Tacaná has a topographic prominence somewhere between 1400 and 2200 m (4593 to 7218 feet). Can anyone find a more precise measurement of topographic prominence? Yours aye,  Buaidh  18:42, 30 January 2012 (UTC)

Thanks. I missed that ultra mention at Peakery. Using it as a ref, I suppose we could put back the ultra listing but I prefer we find a good source for the prominence measure itself. As I said at Talk:List of Ultras of Mexico, the gvp statement doesn't cut it for me at all.

I would like to point out that the very thorough website on ultras, Peaklist.org lists no peak fitting the description on their Mexico ultras page. A look at the Central American ultra page reveals several peaks very close to the coordinates of Tacana, including, interestingly enough, Tajumulco, the highest in Central America.

Volcan Tajumulco

Elev. = 4,220

Prom. = 3,980

Coords = 15º02'36" N 091º54'12" W

Now Tacana's coords are 15°07′48″ N, 92°06′43″ W. That's pretty close to each other and with such proximity to a higher peak, it would make sense (though of course not necessarily always true) that Tacana's prominence may be very low. Just something to consider if we can't find anything else.

I will keep working one it and double check for sure that peaklist hasn't listed it under another name. Till later, good luck.--Racerx11 (talk) 23:19, 30 January 2012 (UTC)

Just for the record I would like restate my thoughts on the SI: GVP statement from my post at Talk:List of Ultras of Mexico:

At the Volcán Tacaná article, it had (I have since removed it) given a prominence of 1,800 m with a citation to the Smithsonian GVP website. The gvp source makes a statement about the volcano rising 1,800 m above a plain. This is a subjective, inexact and general commentary about the local relief around the volcano. It is not, and not intended to be, a objective or exacting measure of the strictly defined concept of topographic prominence.

Also I have found a couple sites about climbing Tajumulco and Tacana together, same day. The fact that climbers are tempted to descend from from one and reascend the other during the same climb is consistent with the possibility of there being a high col between the two. Thus the descent and reascent would be relatively easy or feasible to do in a short time frame. A high col between the two would mean a low prom. for Tacana.

Also I didn't know that Peakbagger once listed a prominence value for Tacana and has since removed it. This in itself is telling, like they found something wrong maybe. What do you think?--Racerx11 (talk) 23:46, 30 January 2012 (UTC)

I think Volcán Tacaná may be overlooked as an ultra because of its proximity (24.03 km) to Volcán Tajumulco. All pictures of Tacaná show a very prominent stratovolcano. Perhaps there is a high ridge connecting the peaks, but I bet Tacaná still exceeds 1500 m of prominence. It may be a good idea to state that Volcán Tacaná may be an ultra-prominent summit, but that has yet to be determined. I hope we inspire folks to inspect the topography around the two highest summits of Central America. Yours aye,  Buaidh  16:17, 31 January 2012 (UTC)

Actually I would be fine with either your suggestion or just reinstating the ultra listing since peakery does call it an ultra. Either way, we may want to add a note somewhere in a citation maybe about the problem or directing to this talk page. I am still hoping someone chimes in with more info though.--Racerx11 (talk) 23:09, 31 January 2012 (UTC)

Tacana is not ultra prominent, there being an insufficient drop separating it from Tajumulco. Its prominence is 1030 metres. Viewfinder (talk) 04:21, 1 February 2012 (UTC)

Thank you very much, Viewfinder, for taking the time to settle the issue. Very much appreciated.--Racerx11 (talk) 04:37, 1 February 2012 (UTC)

Done with the bulk of edits I believe. I have made the corrections here and at three other pages: List of Ultras of Mexico, List of Ultras of Central America and Ultra prominent peak.--Racerx11 (talk) 05:42, 1 February 2012 (UTC)