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Report on Telica (Nicaragua) — 30 June-6 July 2021


Telica

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 June-6 July 2021
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2021. Report on Telica (Nicaragua) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 June-6 July 2021. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (30 June-6 July 2021)

Telica

Nicaragua

12.606°N, 86.84°W; summit elev. 1036 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


INETER reported that at 0500 on 29 June ash-and-gas emissions from Telica rose 200 m above the crater rim and drifted SW. The Washington VAAC noted that ash was emitted during 2-3 July. A few discrete emissions and ash near the crater were visible in webcam images on 2 July, and possible diffuse ash just W of the crater was seen in satellite images. Plumes likely rose to 1.2-1.5 km (4,000-5,000 ft) a.s.l. Another steam-and-ash plume drifted SW and then turned N. On 3 July possible ash plumes rose to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WSW.

Geological Summary. Telica, one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes, has erupted frequently since the beginning of the Spanish era. This volcano group consists of several interlocking cones and vents with a general NW alignment. Sixteenth-century eruptions were reported at symmetrical Santa Clara volcano at the SW end of the group. However, its eroded and breached crater has been covered by forests throughout historical time, and these eruptions may have originated from Telica, whose upper slopes in contrast are unvegetated. The steep-sided cone of Telica is truncated by a 700-m-wide double crater; the southern crater, the source of recent eruptions, is 120 m deep. El Liston, immediately E, has several nested craters. The fumaroles and boiling mudpots of Hervideros de San Jacinto, SE of Telica, form a prominent geothermal area frequented by tourists, and geothermal exploration has occurred nearby.

Source: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)