San Cristóbal Volcano
| San Cristóbal | |
|---|---|
 San Cristóbal from the Ingenio San Antonio sugar mill in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua |
|
| Elevation | 1,745 m (5,725 ft) [1] |
| Location | |
 San Cristóbal
 Nicaragua |
|
| Range | Cordillera Los Maribios |
| Coordinates | 12°42′07″N 87°00′14″W / 12.702°N 87.004°WCoordinates: 12°42′07″N 87°00′14″W / 12.702°N 87.004°W[1] |
| Geology | |
| Type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 2011 |
Volcán San Cristóbal is the highest volcano in Nicaragua at 1,745 m (5,725 ft). Located near to the northwest corner of the country, it forms a majestic backdrop to the city of Chichigalpa, Chinandega. It is also among the most active volcanos in Nicaragua, erupting frequently (if gently).
San Cristóbal is part of a 5-member volcanic complex that bears the same name. Chonco lies 4 km to the west, and Moyotepe 4 km to the north east. Joined to the volcano's eastern flank is Volcán Casitas, which buried a village with a catastrophic landslide in 1998. The scars from said landslide are still visible today. Finally, La Pelona is located on the eastern end of the complex.[1]
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[edit] Physical features
San Cristóbal is the youngest volcano in its complex. It is a nearly symmetrical stratovolcano, rising in a distinctive cone shape. The SW slope is the longest, and the crater rim on that side rises 140 m above the NE end due to prevailing trade winds that distribute tephra to the SW.[1]
The crater is 500x600 m in size. While the volcano was at one point covered in tropical forests, the large quantities of gas and smoke that it emits constantly have killed off much of the vegetation.[2]
[edit] Eruptive history
- 1685: Erupted strongly enough to merit preservation in historical accounts.
- August 1919: Produced loud noises and light tremors that were felt in surrounding areas.
- May 1971: Produced bangs and explosions.
- March 1976: Produced a high, continuous column of smoke, several light tremors, and explosions that occurred every three minutes.
- c. December 1986: Marked expulsion of gases
- c. January 1987: Expelled large quantities of gas.
- May 1997: Entered into a new eruptive period, expelling gases, ash, and sand, and also producing light tremors.
- December 1999: Expelled gas, ash, and sand.
- May, August 2001: Reactivated.
- April 2006: Moderate phreatic eruption.
- July 2008: Rumbled with a series of small explosions, and expelled gas.
[edit] Current activity
San Cristóbal remains quite active, continuously expelling copious amounts of gas and smoke. As recent as September 2009, it was reported that ash was falling in nearby towns [3]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "San Cristóbal". Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-02=. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
- ^ INETER San Cristobal description http://www.ineter.gob.ni/geofisica/vol/cristobal/descr.html
- ^ "Eruption underway at Nicaragua's San Cristobal volcano". BNO News. September 2009. http://news.bnonews.com/jdug. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
