Momotombo Volcano
Momotombo volcano is a symmetrical stratovolcano rising as a peninsula above the NW part of Lake Managua, Nicaragua. It is one of the most known volcanoes of the country.
Momotombo is located at the SE end of the Marrabios Range. It consists of the remnant of an older volcano which now forms a somma ridge on the southern part and a young symmetrical cone that is less than 4500 years old and contains a 150 x 250 m wide summit crater. Young lava flows from Momotombo have flown down the NW flank into the 4-km-wide Monte Galán caldera.
There have been frequent small ash eruptions that were reported by explorers in the past century, but the volcano has been dormant for more than 100 years now. At the moment, the activity consists of active high-temperature fumaroles and gas and steam emission.
A major geothermal field is located on the southern flank of the volcano.
Momotombo volcano eruptions: 2015-ongoing (2016), 1918 (?), 1905, 1902, 1886-87, 1885 (?), 1882, 1878, 1870, 1858-66, 1854, 1852, 1849, 1764, 1736, 1609 (?), 1605-06, 1578, 1524
Radiocarbon-dated: 1100 ± 50 years, 800 BC ± 50 years, 2550 BC ± 300 years
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Momotombo Volcano Photos
Significant volcanic eruptions: Momotombo volcano
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Momotombo volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit crater and NW flank Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs. | 1? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 4 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| ? | |||||
| 4+ | |||||
Eruptions of Momotombo volcano
A seismic swarm with over 120 earthquakes occurred at Momotombo volcano during 1-11 June 2003. 30 of these quakes were on 9 June and one shock on 8 June could be felt at the geothermal plant W of the volcano.
A seismic swarm with more than 500 earthquakes occurred between 9-11 June 2000 at Momotombo volcano. Many of the earthquakes were between M 3.4 and 4.1 and occurred at depths less than 5 km, and were located directly under a geothermal plant on the S slope of the volcano, between Momotombo's crater and the coast of Lake Managua.
Fumarole temperatures in the crater had been rising since 1996 and reached peaks of up to 773°C measured in July 1997. Particularly high measurements were also include 740°C (Oct 1997), 748°C (March 1998), and 725°C on 24 April 1999.
(Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports)
A small black plume was seen above the crater after an earthquake on 10 April 1996, but later observations could not detect any significant changes in the crater or signs of an eruption. ...more info
In March 1994, a large steam plume was rising from the summit crater and visible for many kilometers.
Fumarolic activity in the crater remained strong in 1993. A large steam plume was observed continuously during the first week of September 1993. Temperature measurements at the fumaroles ranged from 200-604°C.
Many rock avalanches had occurred since 1992, damaging the trail to the crater and leaving scars tens of meters across and several meters deep, mostly near the summit.
Fumarolic activity decreased in 1991 and 1992.
The temperature of fumaroles declined by about 50-150°C, reaching "only" 772°C as measured in April 1990 (down from 880° on 15 April 1989). Liquid sulfur was common to observe at most fumaroles. Some produced small sulfur flows with several lobes and smooth crusts of solid orange-brown sulfur, and a small pool of liquid sulfur at the F8 vent.
Field work revealed evidence for older, up to 5 m long sulfur flows which had been as much as 15 cm thick (near F12), and showed pahoehoe type morphology.
Temperatures of fumaroles at Momotombo volcano were very elevated in 1989, reaching 873°C measured on a visit during 4-5 March. Incandesce of the fumaroles was visible at night. Large areas of ground were hotter than 100°C.
Elevated temperatures at fumaroles were measured during 1985-86, typically over 800°C maxima, reaching up to 885°C in April 1986.
The latest confirmed eruption from Momotombo volcano in 1905 produced a lava flow that traveled from the summit to the lower NE base.
Momotombo Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Momotombo volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Momotombo occurred during 2015 - 2016.
+How often does Momotombo volcano erupt?
Since 1524 AD, Momotombo volcano has had at least 16 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 31.3 years.
Many eruptions of Momotombo have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 27 out of 501 years until now. In other words, Momotombo has been active at least one in 18.6 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Momotombo is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Momotombo volcano at present?
Momotombo volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 4 eruptions, and been active during 4 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Momotombo has been in eruption one in 31.5 years on average. The last eruption was from 2015 until 2016 and ended 9 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Momotombo volcano?
The largest eruption of Momotombo volcano in historic times occurred during 1605 AD - 1606 AD. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Momotombo Volcano Maps
