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The Volcano of San Miguel
The Volcano of San Miguel, known also as Chaparrastique, is an estratovolcán formed
by different caps of volcanic rocks of basaltic composition. It is located in the oriental
region of the Volcanic Mountain chain of El Salvador, to 11 kilometres to the west of
the city of San Miguel.
It has an elevation of 2.130 m.s.n.m and is the highest third volcano of the country.
Around it they find the municipalities of: San Miguel, Quelepa, Moncagua, Chinameca,
San Jorge, San Rafael Orientates and The Traffic, all of the Department of San Miguel.
The volcano of San Miguel is considered to be an assets, both for his historical activity
and for his current activity.
There is had knowledge of at least 26 eruptions during the last 304 years. In the
present, it possesses a high level of seismic activity and permanent emission of gases
across fumaroles. From the foundation of the city of San Miguel, in 1530, the volcano
has produced eight flows of lava across fissures in the hillsides of the volcanic cone.
The most remembered eruption happened in 1762, when the lava went to the city of
San Miguel. The volcano also has produced of small to moderate explosions of ash,
gases and warm mud across the central crater, which had been distributed in the
northern part and west of the same one. The last eruptive activity with emission of
lava happened in 1976 and the last small explosion with launch of ashes took place on
January 16, 2002.
BY TANIA ZELAYA
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