Mombacho
Stratovolcano in Nicaragua
Key Facts
Elevation
1,344 m (4,409 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
11.826°, -85.968°
Region
Central America Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Mombacho is an andesitic and basaltic stratovolcano on the shores of Lake Nicaragua south of the city of Granada that has undergone edifice collapse on several occasions. Two large breached craters formed by edifice failure cut the summit on the NE and S flanks. The NE-flank scarp was the source of a large debris avalanche that produced an arcuate peninsula and a cluster of small islands (Las Isletas) in Lake Nicaragua.
Two small, well-preserved cinder cones are located on the lower N flank. The only reported activity was in 1570, when a debris avalanche destroyed a village on the south side of the volcano. Although there were contemporary reports of an explosion, there is no direct evidence that the avalanche was accompanied by an eruption.
Fumarolic fields and hot springs are found within the two collapse scarps and on the upper N flank.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 344110
- •Evidence: Unrest / Holocene
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Mombacho is a stratovolcano on the shores of Lake Nicaragua that has undergone edifice collapse on several occasions. The NE-flank scarp was the source of a large debris avalanche that produced an arcuate peninsula and the Las Isletas chain of islands in Lake Nicaragua. The only reported historical activity was in 1570, when a debris avalanche destroyed a village on the S side of the volcano.
Photo by Jaime Incer, 1977.
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.