Azul, 12.53 N, 83.87, Wsummit elevation 201 m , Holocene cinder cones is located on the Atlantic coastal plain of Nicaragua. The volcano contains three cinder cones about 50-60 m wide.Possible eruptions in the past few thousand years. http://www.volcanolive.com/nicaragua.html Volcan Azul consists of three youthful trachybasaltic cinder cones on the jungle-covered Atlantic coastal plain of Nicaragua that were first noted by geologists during an aerial overflight in the 1960s. The three cones, located south of the Rio Curinhuas and west of Pearl Lagoon, each have well-defined, steep-walled craters about 50-60 m across. In contrast to the circular rims of the other two cones, the rim of the easternmost cone is breached to the west. The well-defined craters and unusually low vegetation in an area of heavy rainfall and rapid weathering led Williams and McBirney (1965) to estimate that the cones were probably no more than a few thousand years old. Other trachybasaltic to trachytic Quaternary cones along the central Nicaraguan Atlanatic coastal plain are found at Pearl Lagoon and Kukra Hill. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-14- The youthful trachybasaltic cinder cones are located south of the Rio Curinhuas and west of Pearl Lagoon. The cones have well-defined, steep-walled craters which are about 50-60 m across. The easternmost crater is open to the west, the other 2 are circular. Based on the fresh vegetation and relatively low vegetation cover, it is thought that they could have formed only a few thousands years ago. Other trachybasaltic to trachytic Quaternary cones along the central Nicaraguan Atlanatic coastal plain are found at Pearl Lagoon and Kukra Hill.http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/volcan_azul.html

Los Pilos and Rota

Las Pilas volcanic complex forms a broad massif seen here from the SSE rising above the Nicaraguan depression. This 30-km-long chain was erupted along a N-S-trending fissure and includes (from left to right) conical Asososca volcano, flat-topped Cerro Los Tacanistes, the unforested summit of Las Pilas itself (the high point of the range), and Cerro El Picacho.Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution). http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Las Pilas lies in the foreground in this aerial view of Las Pilas volcanic complex from the north. The diagonal line cutting across from left of the summit crater to the bottom center is the fissure from the 1952 eruption. The forested crater at the middle right is Cerro Ojo de Agua. The conical peak in the middle distance is Cerro Asososca, and immediately to its left is Laguna de Asososca maar. Two other dry maars are located in the Nicaraguan depression between Laguna de Asososca and the tip of Lake Managua at the upper left.Photo by Alain Creusot-Eon, 1980 (courtesy of Jaime Incer).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Las Pilas Cordillera de Maribios, 1,088 m is a complex volcano. Part of a 30-km-long volcanic massif, Las Pilas has a series of well preserved flank vents surrounding a central cone. Las Pilas last erupted in the 1954, 1952, 1528 , and before that possibly in the 16th century. 12.49 N, 86.68 W. The volcano has been built from activity in numerous craters. The largest and most recent crater in situated on the southern side and measures 700 m wide and 120 m deep. The volcano consists of Lake filled Asososca maar, Cerro Asososca cone and Lake Managua. The last eruption in 1954 lasted for 3 days. Las Pilas volcanic complex, overlooking Cerro Negro volcano to the NW, includes a diverse cluster of cones around the central vent, Las Pilas. A N-S-trending fracture system cutting across 1088-m-high Las Pilas (El Hoyo) is marked by numerous well-preserved flank vents, including maars, that are part of a 30-km-long volcanic massif. The Cerro Negro chain of cinder cones is listed separately in this compilation because of its extensive historical eruptions. The lake-filled Asososca maar is located adjacent to the conical 818-m-high Cerro Asososca cone on the southern side of the fissure system, south of the axis of the Marrabios Range. Two small maars west of Lake Managua are located at the southern end of the fissure. Aside from a possible eruption in the 16th century, the only historical eruptions of Las Pilas took place in the 1950s from a fissure that cuts the eastern side of the 700-m-wide summit crater and extends down the north flank. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Lake-filled Laguna de Asososca maar, in the foreground, and the conical Cerro Asososca at the upper right were formed by eruptions at the southern end of a N-S fissure system of Las Pilas volcanic complex in Nicaragua. The ages of these vents are not known. This view looks from the NE across the broad plain at the foot of the Marrabios Range to the Pacific Ocean in the distance. Photo by Jaime Incer, 1981.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Laguna y Cerro de Asososca

Laguna de Asososca in the foreground is a maar that was constructed along a fissure extending south from Las Pilas volcano. The maar is elongated N-S in the direction of the fissure system and is about 2 km long in that direction. Prevailing winds to the west constructed a higher rim on that side, the vantage point of this photo. The cloud-capped conical peak in the distance is Momotombo, and the much lower peak to its right is Momotombito, which forms an island in Lake Managua.Photo by Jaime Incer.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Two conical peaks of differing age rise to the east above the floor of the Nicaraguan depression. Cerro Asososca (left), part of Las Pilas volcanic complex, was constructed along a fissure extending south from Las Pilas. Erosional gullies cut the flanks of the 818-m-high cone. In the distance to the right is the younger Momotombo volcano, frequently active during historical time.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1996. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Two dramatically different volcano morphologies are visible in this photo of Las Pilas volcanic complex. Conical 818-m-high Asososca stratovolcano (left foreground) has a pronounced erosional valley on its southern flank. Broad Las Pilas volcano (right background) rises to 1088 m and has a more complex volcanic history. These are the two most prominent of a roughly 30-km-long chain of N-S-trending vents.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1995. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Las Pilas volcano (center), with a steam plume pouring from a vigorous fumarole on the SE side of the summit, is viewed here from the south rim of Laguna de Asososca, a 1.3 x 2 km wide maar on the southern end of Las Pilas volcanic complex. The surface of Laguna de Asososca is less than 100 m above sea level. At the left is the eastern flank of Cerro Asososca stratovolcano. Photo by Jaime Incer, 1982.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

The vegetated peak Cerro Grande, a satellitic cone lying on the NW side of Las Pilas volcanic complex, rises to the SE above the reddish surface of Cerro Negro volcano in the foreground. At 1001 m, Cerro Grande is the second highest peak of the N-S-trending Las Pilas volcanic complex.Photo by Franco Penalba, 1979 (courtesy of Jaime Incer).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Las Pilas stratovolcano, seen here from the south, is the most prominent feature of Nicaragua''s Las Pilas volcanic complex. Las Pilas barely exceeds 1000 m in elevation, but it towers 900 m above its base in the Nicaraguan depression only a few hundred m above sea level. Its broad 1088-m-high summit is cut by a 700-m-wide crater and by a N-S fissure formed during an eruption in 1952. There were no previously documented eruptions of this volcano since the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 1520s. Photo by Bill Rose, 1967The rounded eroded peak at the left is the older cone of Cerro Los Tacanistes. The floor of the Nicaraguan depression at this point is less than 100 m above sea level, a full kilometer below the summit of Las Pilas. (Michigan Technological University).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

The southern side of Las Pilas volcano is cut by a prominent transverse fissure, seen steaming in this 1970 view from the SW. A small circular pit crater, El Oyo, is located above the fissure just below the crater rim. Aside from a possible eruption in the 16th century, the only historical eruptions of Las Pilas took place in the 1950s from a fissure that extended across the east side of the 700-m-wide summit crater and down the north flank. Copyrighted photo by Dick Stoiber, 1970 (Dartmouth College). http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

The 1-km-long fissure that reaches from the lower left across the summit crater of Las Pilas was formed during an eruption in 1952. The eruption, which began on October 23, produced ash-bearing steam clouds that ejected fragments of rock from the walls of the new fissure. The eruption ended in December. This view from the north shows the undated Laguna de Asososca maar (upper right), which was formed near the southern end of the fissure system cutting across Las Pilas volcanic complex.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1981.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

The summit crater of Las Pilas volcano (also known as El Hoyo) is 700 m wide and about 120 m deep. A prominent fumarole on the SE side of the crater emits a steam plume. Beyond and to the right of Las Pilas is the 900-m-high satellitic cone Cerro Ojo de Agua, itself capped with a 400-m-wide crater. The diagonal line cutting across from the summit crater of Las Pilas to the lower right was formed during an eruption in 1952. Concentric fissures illustrate its collapse origin. Steam rises from fumaroles along a transverse fissure that extends from the lower right to the upslope (northern) side of the dramatic El Hoyo pit crater at the lower left.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1981.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Precipitated sulfur lines the walls of a transverse fracture cutting the upper southern flank of Las Pilas volcano. The fissure extends from the upper SE flank to El Oyo pit crater on the upper SW flank. Fumaroles are particularly active at the SE end of the fissure.Photo by Bill Rose, 1967 (Michigan Technological University). http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

This dramatic near-vertical aerial photo looks down on El Hoyo, a spectacular pit crater near the summit of Las Pilas volcano. The pit crater, approximately 100 m in diameter, was formed by collapse. El Hoyo is located immediately south of the rim of the 700-m-wide summit crater of Las Pilas (upper right).Photo by Franco Penalba, 1993 (courtesy of Jaime Incer).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

Las Pilas volcano is seen here in an aerial view from the south, with the dramatic El Hoyo pit crater below the summit at the left center. The arcuate ridge at the right beyond Las Pilas is the NE rim of a large crater cutting the older Cerro el Picacho volcano. The flat area in the background beyond Cerro el Picacho on the floor of the Nicaraguan depression is the Malpaisillo pyroclastic shield volcano. Photo by Jaime Incer, 1981.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-08=&volpage=photos

The deeply eroded, forested Rota stratovolcano is seen here in an aerial view from the south. The vegetated, 832-m-high volcano, also known as Orota, is truncated by a 1-km-wide circular crater. No historical eruptions are known from Volcбn Rota, although seismic swarms occurred in 1986, 1989, and 1992. Two small NNW-SSE-trending lava domes, El Bosque (also known as Lomas San Ignacio del Bosque or Cerro Ojochal) form the small forested cones visible on the plain at the left center, 2 km north of the flank of Rota.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1991.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-06-&volpage=photosRota, 12.55 N, 86.75 W, summit elevation 832 m , stratovolcano . The volcano forms a beautiful symmetrical cone with a 150 m diameter. It is covered with vegetation but shows little erosion. No historical eruptions have occurred at the volcano although early explorers considered it active. Seismic swarms were measured in 1986, 1989, and 1992.No recent eruptions http://www.volcanolive.com/nicaragua.html

The deeply eroded Rota stratovolcano with its circular 1-km-wide summit crater lies at the bottom-center of this radar image. The latest eruption from the 832-m-high volcano produced thick andesitic lava flows NW of the summit, which extend nearly to the Malpaisillo road cutting diagonally across the image to the upper right. Two small NNW-SSE-trending lava domes (top-center), El Bosque, are located on the plain 2 km north of the flank of Rota (top-center). The Telica volcanic complex is visible at the upper left and lava flows from Las Pilas at the far right. Radar image, 1971 (courtesy of Jaime Incer). http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-06-&volpage=photos

Rota, Cordillera de Maribios, 12.55 N, 86.75 W, summit elevation 832 m , stratovolcano . The volcano forms a beautiful symmetrical cone with a 150 m diameter. It is covered with vegetation but shows little erosion. No historical eruptions have occurred at the volcano although early explorers considered it active. Seismic swarms were measured in 1986, 1989, and 1992.No recent eruptions. The deeply eroded, forested Rota stratovolcano of Holocene age occupies the area between Cerro Negro volcano and the Telica volcanic complex in the central Marrabios Range. The 832-m-high volcano, also known as Orota, is truncated by a 1-km-wide circular crater whose rim is lowest on the southern side. The latest eruption from Rota produced thick andesitic lava flows from a NE-trending fissure NW of the summit. No historical eruptions are known from Volcan Rota, and Williams and McBirney (1965) considered the volcano to have been quiescent for many centuries. Seismic swarms occurred in 1986, 1989, and 1992. Two small NNW-SSE-trending lava domes, El Bosque (also known as Lomas San Ignacio del Bosque or Cerro Ojochal) are located on the plain 2 km north of the flank of Rota. They were constructed along the same trend as other eruptive fissures that extend transverse to the Marrabios Range volcanoes. An extensive lava field in this area was erupted from numerous small cones and maars. The low, forested Rota stratovolcano rises above fields to its west in the area between Cerro Negro volcano and the Telica volcanic complex. A 1-km-wide circular crater whose rim is lowest on the southern side lies at the summit. The latest eruption from Rota produced thick andesitic lava flows from a NE-trending fissure NW of the summit. No historical eruptions are known from Volcбn Rota, although seismic swarms occurred in 1986, 1989, and 1992 Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution). http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-06-&volpage=photos http://www.volcanolive.com/nicaragua.html

Momotombo

Momotombo volcano towers above the floor of the Nicaraguan depression. Following its birth about 4500 years ago, a catastrophic eruption of Old Momotombo volcano about 2700-2800 years ago produced large amounts of tephra and pyroclastic flows. As a result of this eruption a 1.5 x 1.1 km wide crater was formed at the summit. Subsequent eruptions beginning about 800-900 years ago created the Young Momotombo volcano, which filled much of this crater and forms the present summit.Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Momotombo volcano, seen here from the west near Puerto Momotombo, towers about 1250 m above Lake Managua. The volcano was constructed beginning about 4500 years ago SE of Monte Galan caldera, which lies out of view to the left. Geothermal exploration has occurred on its southern flank (the light-colored area at the right).Photo by Pat Dobson, 1998 (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

The buildings seen in the center of the photo along the shore of Lake Managua are part of the Patricio Arguello Ryan geothermal plant on the lower southern flank of Momotombo volcano. At one point the power plant produced 25% of electrical power generation for the country. In the distance on the left horizon is Cerro Montoso, a peak on the rim of Monte Galбn caldera.Photo by Paul Kimberly, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution). http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Momotombo is a young, 1297-m-high stratovolcano that rises prominently above the NW shore of Lake Managua, forming one of Nicaragua''s most familiar landmarks. Momotombo began growing about 4500 years ago at the SE end of the Marrabios Range and consists of a somma from an older edifice that is surmounted by a symmetrical younger cone with a 150 x 250 m wide summit crater. Young lava flows from Momotombo have flowed down the NW flank into the 4-km-wide Monte Galбn caldera. The youthful cone of Momotombito forms a 391-m-high island offshore in Lake Managua. Momotombo has a long record of strombolian eruptions, punctuated by occasional larger explosive activity. The latest eruption, in 1905, produced a lava flow that traveled from the summit to the lower NE base. A small black plume was seen above the crater after an April 10, 1996 earthquake, but later observations noted no significant changes in the crater. A major geothermal field is located on the southern flank of the volcano. Conical Momotombo volcano rises above the shores of Lake Managua, its waters dirtied by floods associated with hurricane Mitch in 1998. Momotombo rises about 1250 m above the surface of the lake, which is only about 40 m above sea level. The dramatic volcano is one of Nicaragua''s most prominent landmarks and is featured on many of the country''s postage stamps.

An aerial view to the NW looks down the spine of the Marrabios Range, which rises above the floor of the Nicaraguan depression. In the foreground is Momotombo volcano, which rises to 1297 m above the shores of Lake Managua (left). Monte Galбn caldera lies beyond the right-hand flanks of Momotombo. Stretching across much of the photo beyond Momotombo is the N-S-trending Las Pilas complex, and the conical peak in the far distance is San Cristobal volcano.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1997.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Momotombo, Cordillera de Maribios, summit 1,297 m, is a stratovolcano in Nicaragua,. It stands on the shores of Lago de Managua. An eruption of the volcano in 1610 forced inhabitants of the Spanish city of Leon to relocate about 47 km west. The mountain is very symmetrical, and its form is a symbol of Nicaragua, cropping up in locations from matchboxes to revolutionary murals. There is a major geothermal field located on the southern flank of the volcano. To climb the mountain, with a permit cross through the geothermal power plant and follow an easily marked trail through the treeline. The volcano is located on the NW shore of Lake Managua. Momotombo is perfectly symmetrical except for a somma ridge on the southern slope. Early explorers reported smoke and ash emission from the volcano. The southern flank of the volcano contains geothermal activity.Eruptions 1905, 1902, 1886-87?, 1882, 1878, 1870, 1858-66, 1854, 1852, 1849, 1764, 1736, 1609?, 1605-06, 1578, 1524 http://www.volcanolive.com/momotombo.html

Fresh-looking, dark-colored lava flows from the 1905 eruption of Momotombo volcano are prominent in this NASA Space Shuttle image with north to the top. The NW-most flow cascaded into Monte Galan caldera, with the greenish Laguna Monte Galбn near its southern rim. Laguna Las Piedras lies near the center of the caldera, near the toe of the NW lava flow. The light-colored developed area south of the summit along the shore of Lake Managua is the Momotombo geothermal field.Momotombo volcano, seen here from the east, is a prominent youthful stratovolcano constructed along the shores of Lake Managua. The peninsula in the foreground is Punta del Diablo, and the light-colored area at the left is the site of the Momotombo geothermal plant. The young volcano is only 4500 years old and has a long record of strombolian eruptions, with occasional larger explosive activity. . NASA Space Shuttle image ISS005-E-16247, 2002 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Fumaroles in the summit crater of Momotombo volcano emit vigorous vapor plumes. The 150 x 250 m wide crater of Momotombo is narrowly breached to the NE, where a lava flow emerged during the 1905 eruption. The geothermal field on the southern flank of Momotombo can be seen at the lower left along the shores of Lake Managua.Dramatic levees flank the 1905 lava flow, which originated from the breached summit crater of Momotombo. The flow was confined in levees on the upper 1000 m of the cone before spreading laterally at the base of the volcano. Momotombo volcano towers to 1297 m above Lake Managua. The young cone forming the summit largely fills and overtops a 1.1 x 1.5 km wide crater produced during a major eruption about 2700-2800 years ago.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1991.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

The summit crater of Momotombo is covered with areas of extensive hydrothermal alteration, including this area of sulfur deposition. Temperatures of 465-780� C were measured in summit crater fumaroles at the time of this visit in June 1980. Intense fumarolic activity occurs at the summit crater. The summit crater fumaroles remained very hot in late 1980 with temperatures measured up to 735�C and reported to > 900�C. Portions of the crater were seen to glow red and orange when observed at night.Photo by Mike Carr, 1980 (Rutgers University).http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

A view of sulfur deposits within Momotombo�s summit crater (left) and INETER volcanologist Greyving Arg�ello (right) measuring temperatures with a hand-held probe at one of the well-established fumaroles. Note the pervasive yellow and white crystalline surfaces concentrated around the fumaroles. Photos taken on 25 March 2011. Courtesy of INETERhttp://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/bulletin/contents.cfm?issue=3702&display=complete

Light-colored fumarolic sublimates drape the 1297-m-high summit of Momotombo volcano, which displays strong fumarolic activity. Fumarolic temperatures (850 degrees C) and seismicity at the volcano increased following construction of the Momotombo geothermal plant.Photo by Jaime Incer.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

During the latest eruption of Momotombo volcano, in 1905, a large lava flow issued from the breached NE side of the summit crater and traveled 4.5 km onto the lower flanks. The brief, 5-day-long eruption began on January 16 and was accompanied by minor explosive activity. Several prominent "kipukas," (islands of older terrain) are visible in this view from the north with Lake Managua in the background. The 1905 lava flow originated from the breached summit crater and traveled down levees on the upper part of the cone before spreading laterally into forests at the NE base of Momotombo. A minor explosive eruption accompanied the lava flow, the latest of many flows that reached the base of the volcano. Photo by Jaime Incer, 1981 http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Momotombo volcano, seen here from the east, is a prominent youthful stratovolcano constructed along the shores of Lake Managua. The peninsula in the foreground is Punta del Diablo, and the light-colored area at the left is the site of the Momotombo geothermal plant. The young volcano is only 4500 years old and has a long record of strombolian eruptions, with occasional larger explosive activity. In the distance are the conical peak of Cerro Asososca and the broad summit of Las Pilas volcano.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1983.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Hydrothermally altered ground in the foreground is part of 2 sq km geothermal field on the southern flank of Momotombo volcano. The Patricio Arguello Ryan geothermal plant at one point produced 25% of the electrical power of Nicaragua. Summit crater fumarolic activity increased following development of the geothermal field.Photo by Jaime Incer.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Oxidized, reddish-colored rocks form much of the summit cone of Momotombo volcano, seen here from the NW towering more than a kilometer above one of several small ponds on the floor of Monte Galan caldera. The 4-km-wide caldera was the source of a major ignimbrite about 50 KA.Photo by Jaime Incer.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Successive lobes of the 1905 lava flow from Momotombo volcano in Nicaragua spread out on the flat slopes below the volcano, forming a broad terminus. Individual lobes diverted around slightly higher areas of the pre-eruption surface, surrounding these prominent forested "islands" of older rock, known as kipukas. In distance Cerro Negro. Photo by Jaime Incer, 1982. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Isla Momotombito is a small 391-m-high island located immediately SE of Momotombo about 4 km off the coastline of Lake Managua. Punta Santa Ana, the peninsula in the foreground, consists of a young pyroclastic cone on the WSW side of the uninhabited, rattlesnake-infested island. Numerous archaeological sites have been found on the island.Photo by Jaime Incer, 1993.http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-09=&volpage=photos

Caldera Monte Galan crater lake