Telica | |
---|---|
Volcán Telica | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 1,036 m (3,399 ft) |
Coordinates | 12°36′07″N 86°50′42″W / 12.602°N 86.845°W |
Geography | |
Location | León Department, Nicaragua |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
Last eruption | 2022 |
Telica ( Spanish: Volcán Telica) [1] is a stratovolcano, one of several volcanoes of the Nicaraguan volcanic front. It is located in Telica municipality, in the León department of Nicaragua. [2] One of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes, Telica has erupted frequently, and ash from those frequent eruptions keeps the slopes of its cone bare of vegetation. [3]
Telica has six cones, the tallest of which is 1036 meters high. There is a double crater at the top, 700 meters wide and 120 meters deep. [2] Telica has erupted frequently since the Spanish Era. [2] The last eruption was on July 29, 2020. [4] Telica's largest recorded eruption, in 1529, had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4. [5]
Telica became active in August 1999. An eruption produced ash-fall, and on 18 August a lava lake was observed in the summit crater. The ash eruptions continued until February 2000 and declined afterwards. [6] From 9 January to February 2007, small ash eruptions produced ash clouds reaching altitudes of 4900 ft (1.5 km). [7]
In the afternoon of 7 May 2015, Telica increased its volcanic activity, with explosions and low-intensity earthquakes. These explosions produced gas emissions and volcanic ash. On the night of 10 May, an explosive eruption occurred, dusting nearby towns with ash. [8] The volcano registered numerous small eruptions over the succeeding months, including one which caused ash fall in León on September 23. No major damage or injuries were reported. [9]
The general proximity to the city of León makes Telica a popular tourist attraction. [10] Most hikes enter through the small town of San Jacinto, known for its bubbling mud pits and small geothermal electric generation plant.[ citation needed]