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Izalco

The Lighthouse of the Pacific

Elevation

1,950 m

Last Eruption

1966

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

El Salvador

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity60 years agoHistoricalRecently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

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Rocky terrain with rising steam and fog.

Meg von Haartman

via Unsplash

Person poses for a photo on a mountain ridge.

Meg von Haartman

via Unsplash

Volcano against a bright blue sky.

Meg von Haartman

via Unsplash

Rocky terrain and misty fog.

Meg von Haartman

via Unsplash

Rocks, dirt, and a little bit of green grass.

Meg von Haartman

via Unsplash

Dark, jagged rock formation with graffiti on it.

Meg von Haartman

via Unsplash

Other Volcanoes in El Salvador

Interesting Facts

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Izalco was born on February 23, 1770, making it one of the youngest volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere at just 256 years old.

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The volcano grew from nothing to 650 m tall in less than 200 years — an average growth rate of over 3 m per year during its most active periods.

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Izalco earned the nickname 'El Faro del Pacifico' (Lighthouse of the Pacific) because sailors could see its nighttime eruptions from ships in the Pacific Ocean.

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The Smithsonian records 53 separate eruptions for Izalco in just 196 years, one of the highest eruption frequencies ever documented for a single volcano.

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The Hotel de Montana Cerro Verde was built in the early 1960s specifically to offer views of Izalco's eruptions — but the volcano went silent in 1966 before the hotel could benefit.

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Izalco's lavas are geochemically distinct from those of its parent volcano Santa Ana, indicating it taps an independent magma source despite growing on Santa Ana's flank.

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The nine-year eruption from 1948 to 1957 was the longest single continuous episode, sustaining near-constant Strombolian explosions.

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Despite nearly 60 years of dormancy, Izalco's dark scoria slopes have resisted significant vegetation colonization, preserving its stark, barren appearance.

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Izalco is comparable to Mexico's Paricutin (born 1943) as one of the few volcanoes whose entire life cycle — from birth to dormancy — has been witnessed by humans.

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The Nahuatl name 'Izalco' is thought to mean 'place of obsidian sand,' referencing the dark volcanic material of the region.

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El Salvador has 16 Holocene volcanoes in just 21,000 km2, making it one of the most volcanically dense countries on Earth.

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The summit hike up Izalco's loose scoria slopes is one of Central America's most popular but challenging volcano treks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Izalco called the Lighthouse of the Pacific?
Izalco earned the nickname 'El Faro del Pacifico' (the Lighthouse of the Pacific) because its nearly continuous Strombolian eruptions from 1770 to 1966 produced a persistent nighttime glow of incandescent lava fountains and red-hot tephra visible from the Pacific Ocean. Sailors navigating the coast of Central America reportedly used the volcano's glow as a navigational landmark, as it served as a reliable beacon for nearly two centuries. The name captured the popular imagination and remains Izalco's most famous association, even though the volcano has been dormant since 1966.
When did Izalco last erupt?
Izalco last erupted on October 28, 1966, from a vent on the south-southeast flank approximately 550 m below the summit. The eruption was a minor effusive event rated VEI 0, producing only a small lava flow. This unassuming eruption marked the end of nearly 200 years of near-continuous volcanic activity that had begun with the volcano's birth in 1770. As of 2026, Izalco has been dormant for almost 60 years, the longest period of inactivity in its entire existence. No significant signs of renewed unrest have been detected.
How old is Izalco volcano?
Izalco is one of the youngest volcanoes on Earth. It was born on February 23, 1770, when a new vent opened on the southern flank of Santa Ana volcano in western El Salvador. The entire 650-m-high edifice was built from scratch over the following 196 years through 53 documented eruptions. This makes Izalco only 256 years old as of 2026. For comparison, most stratovolcanoes are built over tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years. Izalco's rapid construction is comparable to Mexico's Paricutin, which grew approximately 424 m in nine years (1943-1952).
Can you hike Izalco volcano?
Yes, Izalco is a popular hiking destination within Cerro Verde National Park in western El Salvador. The standard route begins at the Cerro Verde visitor center, descends through cloud forest, crosses the Paso del Leon saddle, and ascends Izalco's barren scoria slopes to the summit crater. The round trip takes approximately 4-6 hours with roughly 800 m of elevation gain from the saddle. The climb is physically demanding due to steep, loose volcanic scoria. The summit offers panoramic views of Santa Ana volcano, Lake Coatepeque, the Pacific coast, and neighboring countries. Park entrance fees apply and guided tours are available. The dry season (November-April) is the best time to visit.
Is Izalco volcano extinct or dormant?
Izalco is classified as dormant rather than extinct. Although the volcano has not erupted since October 28, 1966 — a repose period of almost 60 years — this is considered insufficient time to declare a 256-year-old volcano extinct. Volcanologists generally consider a volcano extinct only after it shows no signs of activity over a period much longer than its historical eruption intervals. Izalco's parent volcano, Santa Ana, erupted as recently as 2005, confirming that the broader magmatic system remains active. Whether Izalco will erupt again is unknown, but its classification remains dormant pending further evidence.
How tall is Izalco?
Izalco stands at 1,950 m (6,398 ft) above sea level. However, because it grew on the southern flank of Santa Ana volcano rather than from flat ground, the cone itself rises approximately 650 m above its base — representing the total material constructed since the volcano's birth in 1770. The 250-m-wide summit crater adds further elevation definition. For context, Izalco's parent volcano Santa Ana is significantly taller at 2,381 m (7,812 ft) and is the highest volcano in El Salvador.
What type of volcano is Izalco?
Izalco is classified as a stratovolcano (composite volcano), built from alternating layers of lava flows and tephra (volcanic fragments) erupted during its nearly 200 years of activity. The dominant rock type is basaltic andesite, which produces eruptions intermediate between the fluid lava flows of basaltic volcanoes and the explosive blasts of more silica-rich stratovolcanoes. Izalco's eruption style was predominantly Strombolian — regular explosions hurling incandescent lava fragments into the air — interspersed with lava flows from flank vents. The resulting cone is notably steep (30-35 degrees) and symmetrical.
Why did Izalco stop erupting?
The exact reason Izalco stopped erupting in 1966 after nearly 200 years of activity is not definitively known. Several hypotheses have been proposed: the magma supply feeding Izalco may have been diverted to a different pathway, the conduit may have become plugged by solidified magma, or the magmatic pressure driving eruptions may have decreased. Some researchers have noted that the eruption of neighboring Santa Ana in 2005 suggests the regional magmatic system remains active, so Izalco's dormancy may be temporary. However, the possibility that Izalco's eruptive phase has permanently ended cannot be ruled out.