Masaya Volcano

Masaya Volcano Latest News

Satellite measurements of Nicaragua’s Masaya volcano suggest magma is entering one reservoir as another drains, offering clues that could improve monitoring for future hazards.

About Masaya Volcano

• It is an active basaltic shield-like caldera volcano located in Nicaragua in Central America, about 20 km southeast of the capital city, Managua. 
• It forms part of the Central American Volcanic Arc, formed by the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. 
• The large El Ventarrón caldera (6 × 11.5 km) was formed by a series of Plinian eruptions in the past 6000 years. 
• The caldera contains multiple collapse craters and cinder cones, with the currently active Santiago crater formed between 1850–1853.
• The volcano is known for its persistent lava lake and high degassing rates. 
• Activity is typically Strombolian to Vulcanian with ash emissions, lava fountains, and occasional lava flows. 
• The current activity at Santiago crater includes a convecting lava lake and continuous gas emissions. 
• At times, Masaya emits large amounts of sulfur dioxide gas. In 1981, sulfur dioxide was released from Santiago Crater at a rate of 500,000 tons per year.  
• In 1979, Masaya became Nicaragua’s first national park. It is officially called Masaya Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya). 

News: STD

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