San Vicente

Stratovolcano in El Salvador

Key Facts

Elevation

2,149 m (7,051 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

13.597°, -88.838°

Region

Central America Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

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Overview

San Vicente stratovolcano, also known as Chichontepec, is ~20 km SE of Lake Ilopango. The andesitic edifice with two summit peaks was constructed within the Pleistocene La Carbonera caldera, whose rim is visible only on its SW side. The N and S flanks are covered by lava flows from the central vent, but lava flows on the eastern side originated from a vent on the upper flank.

Volcanism has continued into the Holocene, but the latest lava flows are covered by deposits from the major Tierra Blanca eruption from Ilopango around 450 CE. Reports of eruptions in 1643 CE and 1835 CE are false (Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World; Sapper, 1917), but numerous hot springs and fumaroles are found on the N and W flanks.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Silica Content

Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Evidence Credible

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

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.