Geologic Background:
Telica, one of Nicaragua's most active
volcanoes, has erupted frequently since the beginning of
the Spanish era. The Telica volcano group consists of
several interlocking cones and vents with a general NW
alignment. Sixteenth-century eruptions have been reported
at symmetrical Santa Clara volcano, at the SW end of the
Telica group. However, its eroded and breached crater has
been covered by forests throughout historical time, in
contrast to Telica, whose upper slopes 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 SE of Telica, 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.
Historic Activity:
- Telica has erupted intermittently since the time of
the Spanish conquest. Eruptions in 1527, 1529, 1685,
1850, 1928, 1943, 1951, 1965, 1969 to 1971, and 1976 to
1978.
Recent Activity:
- An eruption from November 1981 to March 1982.
- Small eruption of incandescent column during November
1987.
- In late August 1993 a small collapse pit with an
estimated diameter of 20 m was observed on the floor of
the north zone of the 1982 central crater.
- An eruption on July 31, 1994 produced a gas-and-ash
column that rose Å800 m above the 1,060-m-high summit.
Ashfall was reported 20 km southwest of the volcano.
Phreatic activity continued until August 12 with gas
emission and minor ash explosions.
- Phreatic explosions in May and June 1999 with
intermittent gas-and-ash emissions reported through Dec.
1999. A small lava lake formed in the inter crater in
August.
- Low -intensity eruptive activity continued through
Feb 17, 2000 after which activity began to gradually
decline. Seismicity stayed high through March.
Data Sources:
- Smithsonian's SEAN Bulletin (V. 1, No. 14 to V. 14,
No. 6)
- Global Volcanism Network (V. 16, No. 2 to V. 25, No.
9).
|