San Cristobal Volcano
Updated: May 24, 2025 08:04 GMT -
stratovolcano
Nicaragua, 12.7°N / -87°W 
Summit height: 1745 m / 5,725 ft
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)
Last update: 12 Jun 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
San Cristobal volcano, also known as El Viejo, is the highest and one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua. It is located near the northwest corner of the country near the city of Chinandega, 110 km WSW of the capital Managua.
San Cristobal has had frequent small to medium-sized ash eruptions reported since the 16th century. When first observed by the Spanish in 1528, the volcano was in strong eruption and was described as sending "smoke" during the day and "flames" at night.
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San Cristobal volcano eruptions: 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010-11, 2010, 2009, 2008 (Nov), 2008 (Aug), 2007, 2005-06, 2003-04, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999-2000, 1997,1987 (?), 1985 (?), 1977, 1976 (Aug), 1976 (Mar), 1971, 1685, 1684, 1680, 1613 (?), 1528 ± 1 year
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 07:37 pm (GMT -6) | 2.4 8 km | 5.3 km (3.3 mi) to the SE | 18 km east of Chinandega, Departamento de Chinandega, Nicaragua | Info | |
| Friday, May 23, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| May 23, 12:45 pm (GMT -6) | 1.4 7 km | 30 km (19 mi) to the E | 46 km east of Chinandega, Departamento de Chinandega, Nicaragua | Info | |
| May 23, 12:45 pm (GMT -6) | 1.5 34 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the E | 29 km north of Leon, Departamento de Leon, Nicaragua | Info | |
| Sunday, May 18, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| May 18, 04:19 am (Universal Time) | 1.0 8 km | 26 km (16 mi) to the E | 26 km northeast of Leon, Departamento de Leon, Nicaragua | Info | |
| Saturday, May 17, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| May 17, 07:56 pm (Universal Time) | 1.0 3 km | 25 km (16 mi) to the SE | 21 km northeast of Leon, Departamento de Leon, Nicaragua | Info | |
| Monday, May 12, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| May 12, 09:30 pm (Universal Time) | 1.3 11 km | 30 km (19 mi) to the E | 38 km northeast of Leon, Departamento de Leon, Nicaragua | Info | |
Background
The San Cristóbal volcanic complex at the NW end of the Marrabios Range consists of 5 main volcanic edifices: 1 the main cone of San Cristóbal, which contains a 500 x 600 m wide crater, 2 El Chonco, with several flank lava domes, located 4 km to the west of San Cristóbal, 3 the eroded Moyotepe volcano 4 km to the NE of San Cristóbal, 3 Volcán Casita with an elongated summit crater immediately east of San Cristóbal, and 5 La Pelona, an older caldera is located at the eastern end of the San Cristóbal complex.Volcán Casita volcano was probably active in the 16th century and has several active fumarole fields. It was the site of a catastrophic landslide and lahar in 1998, triggered by torrential rains from Hurricane Mitch, and killing 1560 people.
The climb to San Cristóbal with its very steep slopes is one of the most difficult climbs in Nicaragua. The climb takes about 1 day normally and guides can be found in León or Chinandega.
San Cristobal Volcano Photos
Volcanoes El Chonco, San Cristobal (highest volcano in Nicaragua) and Casita, view from Chichigalpa (Photo: WNomad)
Stratovolcano San Cristobal, view from Chichigalpa, Nicaragua (Photo: WNomad)
Significant volcanic eruptions: San Cristobal volcano
In the past 10,000 years, San Cristobal has had at least 35 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from San Cristobal volcano.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from San Cristobal volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of San Cristobal volcano since around 2000. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of San Cristobal can be found on the news page of San Cristobal volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
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 San Cristobal volcano
2004-2010 eruptions
Frequent small ash and gas explosions took place during 2006-2010.
More intense periods of activity were recorded in Dec 2004, Nov 2005 - February 2006. Small phreatic explosions causing minor ash fall were noted on 6 March and 23 April 2006.
Another episode of phreatic explosions began on 18 May and continued until 27 May 2006.
Climbers at the summit on 10 November 2006. aw fresh ejecta from explosions during the previous days.
On 22 June 2008, a moderate explosion generated a gas-and-ash plume causing minor ash fall in 16 km distance SW. A series of explosions occurred on 11 July, and again on 22 November 2008.
An explosion on 6 September 2009 generated a small 200 m high ash plume, and one on 14 Sep reached 350 m.
On 9 June 2010, the Washington VAAC reported a well-defined ash plume drifting about 115 km WNW and originating most likely from San Cristobal.
Frequent small ash and gas explosions took place during 2006-2010.
More intense periods of activity were recorded in Dec 2004, Nov 2005 - February 2006. Small phreatic explosions causing minor ash fall were noted on 6 March and 23 April 2006.
Another episode of phreatic explosions began on 18 May and continued until 27 May 2006.
Climbers at the summit on 10 November 2006. aw fresh ejecta from explosions during the previous days.
On 22 June 2008, a moderate explosion generated a gas-and-ash plume causing minor ash fall in 16 km distance SW. A series of explosions occurred on 11 July, and again on 22 November 2008.
An explosion on 6 September 2009 generated a small 200 m high ash plume, and one on 14 Sep reached 350 m.
On 9 June 2010, the Washington VAAC reported a well-defined ash plume drifting about 115 km WNW and originating most likely from San Cristobal.
1997 eruption
An eruption began at San Cristóbal volcano during the night of 19-20 May 1997. The eruption had been preceded by 2 weeks of intense seismic activity and elevated SO2 emission. A series of ash explosions occurred, producing plumes rising up to 800 m. On 20 May explosions were sometimes nearly continuous for few minutes, and then stopped for minutes or even hours.
One explosion on 22 May could be heard in 3 km distance.
Field work on 23 May revealed that the inner pit crater of the inner crater cone had grown considerably and a new a new 4 m wide vent was observed at the SW end of its floor, at a location where there had been high-temperature fumaroles (600 deg C) previously.
The activity produced a layer of light gray ash on the W flank of the mountain. Activity calmed down towards the end of May, but isolated eruptions occurred throughout June and July.
Source: Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports
An eruption began at San Cristóbal volcano during the night of 19-20 May 1997. The eruption had been preceded by 2 weeks of intense seismic activity and elevated SO2 emission. A series of ash explosions occurred, producing plumes rising up to 800 m. On 20 May explosions were sometimes nearly continuous for few minutes, and then stopped for minutes or even hours.
One explosion on 22 May could be heard in 3 km distance.
Field work on 23 May revealed that the inner pit crater of the inner crater cone had grown considerably and a new a new 4 m wide vent was observed at the SW end of its floor, at a location where there had been high-temperature fumaroles (600 deg C) previously.
The activity produced a layer of light gray ash on the W flank of the mountain. Activity calmed down towards the end of May, but isolated eruptions occurred throughout June and July.
Source: Smithsonian / GVP monthly reports
San Cristobal Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of San Cristobal volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of San Cristobal occurred in 2024.
+How often does San Cristobal volcano erupt?
Since 1528 AD, San Cristobal volcano has had at least 35 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 14.2 years.
+How active is San Cristobal volcano at present?
San Cristobal volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 30 eruptions, and been active during 30 years out of 126 as of now. This means, San Cristobal has been in eruption one in 4.2 years on average. The last eruption was in 2024 and ended 11 months ago.
+When was the largest eruption of San Cristobal volcano?
The largest eruption of San Cristobal volcano in historic times occurred in 2017. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
San Cristobal 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 San Cristobal volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of San Cristobal volcano (scale of few kilometers)
