stratovolcano 1297 m / 4,255 ft
Nicaragua, 12.42°N / -86.54°W
Eruption list: 2015-ongoing (2016), 1918 (?), 1905, 1902, 1886-87, 1885 (?), 1882, 1878, 1870, 1858-66, 1854, 1852, 1849, 1764, 1736, 1609 (?), 1605-06, 1578, 1524
Radiocarbon-dated: 1100 ± 50 years, 800 BC ± 50 years, 2550 BC ± 300 years
Eruptions of Momotombo volcano
2003 earthquakes
A seismic swarm with over 120 earthquakes occurred at Momotombo volcano during 1-11 June 2003. 30 of these quakes were on 9 June and one shock on 8 June could be felt at the geothermal plant W of the volcano.
2000 earthquakes
A seismic swarm with more than 500 earthquakes occurred between 9-11 June 2000 at Momotombo volcano. Many of the earthquakes were between M 3.4 and 4.1 and occurred at depths less than 5 km, and were located directly under a geothermal plant on the S slope of the volcano, between Momotombo's crater and the coast of Lake Managua.
1996-1999 fumarolic activity
Fumarole temperatures in the crater had been rising since 1996 and reached peaks of up to 773°C measured in July 1997. Particularly high measurements were also include 740°C (Oct 1997), 748°C (March 1998), and 725°C on 24 April 1999.
(Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports)
1996 black plume
A small black plume was seen above the crater after an earthquake on 10 April 1996, but later observations could not detect any significant changes in the crater or signs of an eruption.
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from: Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports:
"
In the first days of April, strong seismic activity began beneath Momotombo. The seismic observations were made by the station located ~3 km from the crater and other stations of the national seismic network. A slight increase in activity had been observed during March. On 4 April the number of daily events reached ~100; seismicity remained high until 9 April with maximum magnitudes of about 3. On 9 and 10 April volcanic seismicity declined, but at 1510 on 10 on April a M 3.5 event occurred. Residents of La Paz Centro, ~15 km SW, saw a black cloud above the crater after the earthquake. The normal plume has a white color.
The 10 April earthquake was strongly felt at the geothermal power plant (30 MW), 5 km SW of the crater and <4 km from the epicenter. All but 12 people were evacuated from the power plant, which produces a considerable percentage of Nicaraguan electricity. Afterwards, until 0900 on 11 April, there were ~500 small events registered. On 11 April at 1600, some stronger events with magnitudes of about 3 were again recorded. All seismic events were impulsive, with frequencies of ~10 Hz, and very shallow. Small-amplitude tremor events lasted between some minutes and several hours. An overflight on 11 April to take photos and a video revealed no significant changes in the crater.
Crater fumarole temperatures reported by Alain Creusot have remained unchanged for the past year. During the last three inspections (25 February, 11 April, and 16 April) the maximum temperature was ~770°C. The six areas of fumarolic activity measured in April had temperatures ranging from 375 to 768°C."
1994 steam plume
In March 1994, a large steam plume was rising from the summit crater and visible for many kilometers.
1993 fumarolic activity
Fumarolic activity in the crater remained strong in 1993. A large steam plume was observed continuously during the first week of September 1993. Temperature measurements at the fumaroles ranged from 200-604°C.
Many rock avalanches had occurred since 1992, damaging the trail to the crater and leaving scars tens of meters across and several meters deep, mostly near the summit.
1991-92 activity
Fumarolic activity decreased in 1991 and 1992.
1990 fumarolic activity
The temperature of fumaroles declined by about 50-150°C, reaching "only" 772°C as measured in April 1990 (down from 880° on 15 April 1989). Liquid sulfur was common to observe at most fumaroles. Some produced small sulfur flows with several lobes and smooth crusts of solid orange-brown sulfur, and a small pool of liquid sulfur at the F8 vent.
Field work revealed evidence for older, up to 5 m long sulfur flows which had been as much as 15 cm thick (near F12), and showed pahoehoe type morphology.
1989 high-temperature fumaroles
Temperatures of fumaroles at Momotombo volcano were very elevated in 1989, reaching 873°C measured on a visit during 4-5 March. Incandesce of the fumaroles was visible at night. Large areas of ground were hotter than 100°C.
1985-86 high-temperature fumaroles
Elevated temperatures at fumaroles were measured during 1985-86, typically over 800°C maxima, reaching up to 885°C in April 1986.
105 eruption
The latest confirmed eruption from Momotombo volcano in 1905 produced a lava flow that traveled from the summit to the lower NE base.