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Cerro Negro Volcano

Updated: May 1, 2025 13:58 GMT -
cinder cones
Nicaragua, 12.51°N / -86.7°W
Summit height: 728 m / 2,388 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 9 Dec 2021 (increased earthquake activity)

Cerro Negro, Central America's youngest volcano was born in April 1850 and is one of the region's most active volcanoes. It has been producing frequent strombolian eruptions, occasional lava fountains and lava flows, and powerful explosive eruptions every few decades.
Cerro Negro lies in a sparsely populated area and its eruptions have not caused significant damage nearby, but ash fall from its sometimes strong explosions have damaged farmland and houses in the populated areas of the Nicaraguan depression.

[smaller] [larger]
Typical eruption style: explosive (strombolian to sub-plinian)
Cerro Negro volcano eruptions: 1999, 1995, 1992, 1971, 1969, 1968, 1964, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1960, 1957, 1954, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1947, 1929, 1923, 1919, 1914, 1899, 1867, 1850

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location
Apr 22, 07:30 pm (Universal Time)
2.2

9 km
25 km (16 mi) to the N 37 km northeast of Leon, Departamento de Leon, Nicaragua Info
Sunday, April 20, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 20, 08:29 am (Universal Time)
1.7

6 km
31 km (19 mi) to the NW 13 km Al Norte De Volcán San Cristóbal, Nicaragua Info

Background

Cerro Negro is the largest, southernmost, and most recent of a group of 4 young cinder cones that formed along a NNW-SSE-trending line in the central Marrabios Range 5 km NW of Las Pilas volcano. The volcano consists of a black ("negro") basaltic cinder cone with associated lava flows, including an aa flow field reaching 4 km to the NE and SW.
The frequent eruptions of Cerro Negro have modified its morphology continuously since its birth 160 years ago.

Significant volcanic eruptions: Cerro Negro volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Cerro Negro has had at least 23 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1964 from Cerro Negro volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Cerro Negro volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Cerro Negro can be found on the news page of Cerro Negro volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
1999 Aug 5 - Aug 7South flank (near Cristo Rey crater)
Historical obs./docs.
2
1995 May 29 - Dec 6
Historical obs./docs.
2
1992 Apr 9 - Apr 14
Historical obs./docs.
3
1992 Apr 10
(eruption 1992 Apr 9 - Apr 14)
Historical obs./docs.
311
moderate
Info
1971 Feb 3 - Feb 14Summit and east flank
Historical obs./docs.
3
1969 Dec 19 - Dec 29
Historical obs./docs.
1
1968 Oct 23 - Dec 10Summit and south flank
Historical obs./docs.
3
?? 1964 Jul 2 ±182 d.
Uncertain Eruption
2?
1963 Mar 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
1
1962 Mar 21 - Apr 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1961 Oct 25NE-flank fissure
Historical obs./docs.
1
1960 Sep 28 - Dec 26 ±5 d.Summit and south flank
Historical obs./docs.
3
1957 Sep 4 - Sep 24Summit and east flank
Historical obs./docs.
2
1954 Feb 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2?
1950 Nov 21 - Dec 17
Historical obs./docs.
3
1949 Jun
Historical obs./docs.
2
1948 Mar 31
Historical obs./docs.
2
1947 Jul 9 - Aug 2Summit and NE flank
Historical obs./docs.
3
1929 Feb 10 - Mar
Historical obs./docs.
2
1923 Oct 23 - Dec 11Summit and upper north flank
Historical obs./docs.
3
1919 Jun 20 - Jun 30
Historical obs./docs.
2
1914 Oct 28 - Nov 3
Historical obs./docs.
2
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

Eruptions of Cerro Negro volcano



1999 eruption and lava fountains
An explosive eruption began at Cerro Negro volcano on 5 August. The eruption was preceded by strong seismic activity the previous night, including quakes that were felt in Managua 70 km away.
The explosions produced an ash column reaching 7 km altitude, and consisted of near-continuous pulses, sometimes containing liquid lava fountains up to 300 m tall.
The activity ended already the next day.

1995 eruption
An explosive eruption started in the late afternoon of 28 May, following volcanic tremor detected during 24-28 May.
The eruption consisted of small ash explosions about every 30 minutes creating plumes rising a few 100 m and sometimes containing incandescent bombs.
On 30 May, geologists visited the crater and observed that a new vent had formed in the bottom of the central crater.
The eruption continued until 16 August, but its most violent phase was in early June, when explosions occurred on average every 8-15 minutes and sometimes reached up to 1 km height. A small pyroclastic surge was produced by a phreatomagmatic explosion on 2 June.

1992 eruption
A violent strombolian eruption occurred at Cerrro Negro volcano between 9-12 April, and a less intense phase from 13-14 April 1992. 28,000 people were evacuated from nearby villages and the outskirts of León, Nicaragua's second largest city.
The eruption produced ash columns reaching 7.5 km altitudeand produced about 4 cm of ash fall in León. Lava fountains of 300 m were observed on the evening of 11 April.
During the second, less intense phase between 13-14 April, ash rose to 3.5 km. All activity stopped on 14 April.

1971 eruption
Cerro Negro started a violent eruption from its central vent on 3 February 1971, which consisted in violent strombolian explosions and lava fountains about 500 m tall producing ash columns reaching up to about 10 km, and causing ash fall to the west in up to 80 km distance. Up to 10 cm of ash were deposited in villages near the volcano. The eruption ended on 14 February. ...more info

1968 eruption
An explosive and effusive eruption occurred at Cerro Negro volcano around 25 October 1968. A report from 28 Oct reads "tremendous amount of 'smoke'and rock coming out of main cone".
The eruption occurred opened new vents on the south side of the crater, which produced powerful strombolian activity, lava fountains visible from León, and lava flows to the W and SW. Heavy ash fall occurred 10 km from the volcano. 13 villages were evacuated.
The intensity increased on 30 October, when 2 large explosions were observed. A pilot reported the lava flow about 1 km long, 250 wide and 30-40 m thick.
On 4 November, the eruption decreased somewhat. An observer writes: "the new lava vent at the base of Cerro Negro contains a lava fountain shooting molten lava to a height of 30 m into the air. The majority of this material falls back into the pool."
Around 10 November, the eruption intensity picked up again. On 18 Nov, an eruption cloud reached 2-3 km altitude, and lava fountains and continuous ash emissions were observed at the vents. A second lava flow had formed traveling to the SE.
Activity continued in similar ways until 7 December, when it sharply decreased and ended on 10 December.
A series of weak explosions occurred again a year later, in December 1969.

Cerro Negro Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Cerro Negro volcano?

+How often does Cerro Negro volcano erupt?

+How active is Cerro Negro volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Cerro Negro volcano?

Latest satellite images

CerroNegro satellite image sat1CerroNegro satellite image sat2

Cerro Negro 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 Cerro Negro volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cerro Negro volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Tue, 16 Feb 2016, 10:31

Cerro Negro volcano (Nicaragua): volcanic unrest, warning to climb

Cerro Negro volcano (image: La Prensa)
An unusual number of earthquakes have been noted near the volcano recently, prompting authorities to warn tourists and locals not to climb the volcano, local press reports. Read all
Wed, 12 Jun 2013, 14:25

Cerro Negro volcano (Nicaragua) activity update

Today's seismic recording from Cerro Negro (CNGN station, INSIVUMEH)
Seismic activity has returned to low levels. ... Read all

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