Apoyeque Volcano
Updated: May 21, 2025 10:23 GMT -
pyroclastic shield
Nicaragua, 12.24°N / -86.34°W 
Summit height: 518 m / 1,699 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 15 Dec 2021
Apoyeque volcano forms the broad Chiltepe Peninsula in western Nicaragua and extends into south central Lake Managua
The Apoyeque volcano is part of a larger volcanic complex and consists of a low 500 m high shield cut by a 2.8 km wide and 400 deep lake-filled caldera and a 2.5 x 3 km wide explosion crater, the lake-filled Xiloá (Jiloá) maar, immediately SE of Apoyeque.
Present activity consists of active fumaroles in Laguna Xiloá and at the northern caldera rim.
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Apoyeque volcano eruptions: 50 BC ± 100 (Chiltepe Tephra, Apoyeque), 1050 BC ± 100 (Los Cedros Tephra), 2550 BC ± 1000 (Mateare Tephra, West Chiltepe Peninsula), 4160 BC ± 30 (Laguna Xiloá)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
Apoyeque is part of the Chiltepe pyroclastic shield volcano, one of 3 large ignimbrite shields on the Nicaraguan volcanic front. The caldera formed after a VEI 6 plinian eruption which left a thick mantle of dacitic pumice that blankets the surrounding area (Chiltepe Tephra).Other features of the volcano include:
The Talpetatl lava dome was constructed between Laguna Xiloá and Lake Managua.
Pumiceous pyroclastic flows from Laguna Xiloá were erupted about 6100 years ago and overlie deposits of comparable age from the Masaya plinian eruption.
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Source: Smithsonian / GVP Apoyeque volcano information
Significant volcanic eruptions: Apoyeque volcano
No historic eruptions are known from Apoyeque volcano, but evidence from at least 4 eruptions during the past 10,000 years can be found in the geological record.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Apoyeque volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Apoyeque can be found on the news page of Apoyeque volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -50 BC (eruption | 6 | Info | |||
| Apoyeque | 6 | ||||
| 4 | |||||
| W Chiltepe Peninsula | 5 | ||||
| Laguna Xiloá | 5 | ||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Apoyeque Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Apoyeque volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Apoyeque occurred around 50 BC.
+When was the largest eruption of Apoyeque volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Apoyeque volcano occurred around 50 BC. It only has a VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) of , likely because it was a mainly effusive eruption generating lava flows but very little ash.
Latest satellite images
Apoyeque Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Apoyeque volcano (scale of few kilometers)
