San Vicente Volcano
Updated: May 14, 2024 09:16 GMT -
stratovolcano 2182 m / 7,159 ft
El Salvador, 13.6°N / -88.84°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
El Salvador, 13.6°N / -88.84°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 12 Dec 2021 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
San Vicente volcano (also known as Chichontepec) is a twin-peaked stratovolcano SE of Lake Ilopango. It is the second highest volcano in El Salvador and probably still active although there are no known historical eruptions. There are many hot springs and fumaroles on the northern and western flanks of the volcano.
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San Vicente volcano eruptions: unknown, less than 10,000 years ago
Latest nearby earthquakes
Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
May 5, 07:09 am (El Salvador) | 2.0 9 km | 25 km (16 mi) to the NW | 7 Km al norte de Ilopango, El Salvador | Info | |
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
May 1, 01:34 am (El Salvador) | 2.1 5 km | 14 km (8.9 mi) to the W | 9 Km al sureste de San Miguel Tepezontes, El Salvador | Info |
Background
San Vicente is a young andesitic stratovolcano which was constructed within the Pleistocene La Carbonera caldera, whose rim is visible only on its SW side. The summit craters are oriented along a WSW-ENE line.The northern and southern flanks are covered by lava flows from the central vent, but lava flows on the eastern side originated from a vent on the upper flank. Volcanism has continued into the Holocene, but the latest lava flows are covered by deposits from the major ca. 260 AD eruption from neighboring Ilopango volcano.
Reports of historical eruptions in 1643 and 1835 are false.
(Smithsonian / GVP)
Eruptions of San Vicente volcano
2009 mudflows
In November 2009, hurricane Ida caused large mudflows from the flanks of San Vincente volcano, which killed more than 40 people in villages at the base of the mountain.
In November 2009, hurricane Ida caused large mudflows from the flanks of San Vincente volcano, which killed more than 40 people in villages at the base of the mountain.
2001 earthquake and landslides
A large magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred near the San Vincente volcano on 13 February 2001. It triggered over 25 landslides on the flank of the volcano which killed 39 people. There were also reports of an eruption, but these are considered false.
A large magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred near the San Vincente volcano on 13 February 2001. It triggered over 25 landslides on the flank of the volcano which killed 39 people. There were also reports of an eruption, but these are considered false.