Contact | RSS | EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU

Momotombo Volcano

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 23:16 GMT -
stratovolcano 1297 m / 4,255 ft
Nicaragua, 12.42°N / -86.54°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 20 Dec 2021 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

Momotombo volcano is a symmetrical stratovolcano rising as a peninsula above the NW part of Lake Managua, Nicaragua. It is one of the most known volcanoes of the country.
Momotombo is located at the SE end of the Marrabios Range. It consists of the remnant of an older volcano which now forms a somma ridge on the southern part and a young symmetrical cone that is less than 4500 years old and contains a 150 x 250 m wide summit crater. Young lava flows from Momotombo have flown down the NW flank into the 4-km-wide Monte Galán caldera.
There have been frequent small ash eruptions that were reported by explorers in the past century, but the volcano has been dormant for more than 100 years now. At the moment, the activity consists of active high-temperature fumaroles and gas and steam emission.
A major geothermal field is located on the southern flank of the volcano.

[smaller] [larger]
Typical eruption style: explosive, strombolian activity
Momotombo volcano eruptions: 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

Latest nearby earthquakes

TimeMag. / DepthDistance / Location
Mar 26, 07:34 am (Managua)
Mar 26, 13:34 GMT
2.3

5 km
23 km (15 mi) to the NE Leon, Nicaragua, 48 km north of Managua, Managua Info
Saturday, March 23, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 23, 11:01 am (Managua)
Mar 23, 17:01 GMT
1.7

9 km
24 km (15 mi) to the S Nicaragua, 6.6 km southwest of Nagarote, Leon Info
Saturday, March 16, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 16, 10:17 am (Managua)
Mar 16, 16:17 GMT
2.4

5 km
30 km (19 mi) to the SW 6 Km Al Norte De Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua Info
Friday, March 22, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 22, 07:21 am (Managua)
Mar 22, 13:21 GMT
1.5

5 km
15 km (9.4 mi) to the NE Leon, Nicaragua, 46 km northwest of Managua, Managua Info
Monday, March 18, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 18, 08:35 am (Managua)
Mar 18, 14:35 GMT
1.5

10 km
19 km (12 mi) to the NW Nicaragua, 21 km east of Leon, Leon Info
Thursday, March 28, 2024 GMT (1 quake)
Mar 28, 01:36 am (Managua)
Mar 28, 07:36 GMT
1.2

29 km
22 km (13 mi) to the S Leon, Nicaragua, 37 km west of Managua, Managua Info

Momotombo Volcano Photos

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. ...more info

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.

Latest satellite images

Momotombo satellite image sat1Momotombo satellite image sat2
Wed, 10 Mar 2021, 06:00

Momotombo volcano (Nicaragua) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 10 March-16 March 2021 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Washington VAAC reported that on 14 March a possible ash emission was visible in webcam and satellite data just above Momotombo. Ash was not visible in a subsequent satellite image captured around six hours later. ... Read all

On this page: