Global Volcanism Program

12 September-18 September 2012

During 10-11 September INETER reported "jet" sounds from Telica, two incandescent fumaroles, and gas-and-steam plumes rising 100-200 m above the crater. On 11 September two small explosions occurred in the crater. During 12-14 and 17 September gas plumes rose 30-150 m and incandescence from the crater was observed. Gas measurements on 14 and 17 September showed normal levels of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Sources: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)

Available Weekly Reports

2012: September |
2011: May |
2007: January | February |

12 September 2012 Back to Top

During 10-11 September INETER reported "jet" sounds from Telica, two incandescent fumaroles, and gas-and-steam plumes rising 100-200 m above the crater. On 11 September two small explosions occurred in the crater. During 12-14 and 17 September gas plumes rose 30-150 m and incandescence from the crater was observed. Gas measurements on 14 and 17 September showed normal levels of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Sources: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)

18 May 2011 Back to Top

INETER reported that during April seismicity at Telica increased, with earthquake magnitudes ranging up to 3.3 and some explosions detected. On 14 May at approximately 2310 a series of explosions were detected by the seismic network and were accompanied by ash and gas emissions. Tephra fall was reported in La Quemada, 4 km N. During the previous few days residents in nearby communities observed reddish colored gas plumes, and those living on the flanks felt earthquakes. On 16 May the seismic network registered three explosions that were accompanied by gas-and-tephra emissions. One plume rose 1.2 km above the crater. Nearby communities to the SE, including Cristo Rey, Las Colinas, and La Quemada, were affected by the emissions.

During 17-18 May another series of small explosions was detected. A gas-and-ash plume rose 600 m above the crater. On 18 May an explosion that lasted 6 minutes produced an ash plume that rose 2.6 km above the crater. Fifteen explosions during 18-19 May were accompanied by gas-and-ash plumes that rose 500-800 m high. Women and children living on the flanks were evacuated. Explosions continued to be detected during 19-20 May with gas-and-ash plumes again rising 500-800 m above the crater. Residents on the N flank in the community of El Ñajo reported that new fumaroles had opened, prompting authorizes to plan for monitoring all wells within a 5-km-radius of Telica. During 20-21 May activity decreased. An observer reported four strong explosions and gas-and-tephra plumes that rose 500-700 m high.

Sources: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)

11 May 2011 Back to Top

Based on reports from INETER, the Washington VAAC stated that emissions of gas-and-ash from Telica were detected and ash fell in areas 4 km N. Seismicity was elevated for a period of time.

Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

14 February 2007 Back to Top

The Washington VAAC reported that continuous emissions of ash from Telica were visible on a web-camera on 15 February. A resultant plume rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. Based on satellite imagery, the plume drifted SW and a hotspot was present at the summit.

Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

3 January 2007 Back to Top

On 9 January, INETER reported that a gas-and-ash plume from an eruption of Telica reached an altitude of 1.5 km (4,900 ft) a.s.l., drifted W, and then reached a greater altitude. The eruption was accompanied by increased seismic activity. The Washington VAAC reported that a possible ash plume was visible on satellite imagery and on a web camera, drifting SW.

Sources: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER) , Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

Start Date	Stop Date	Eruption Certainty	VEI	Evidence	Activity Area or Unit
2008 Jul 5 ± 4 days	2008 Jul 5 ± 4 days	Confirmed	1	Historical
2007 Oct 28 ± 3 days	2008 Feb 18	Confirmed	1	Historical
[ 2007 Jun 12 ]	[ 2007 Jun 12 ]	Uncertain	1
2006 Dec 11 (?)	2007 Feb 17	Confirmed	1	Historical
2006 Aug 4	2006 Aug 6	Confirmed	1	Historical
2004 Nov 5	2005 Jan 29	Confirmed	1	Historical
2004 Mar 31	2004 Mar 31	Confirmed	1	Historical
2002 Oct 17	Unknown	Confirmed	0	Historical
2001 Jan 17	2001 Dec 19 (?)	Confirmed	1	Historical
1999 May 21	2000 Sep 6	Confirmed	1	Historical
1994 Jul 31	1994 Aug 12	Confirmed	2	Historical
1987 Nov	1987 Nov	Confirmed	1	Historical	Vent in NE corner of crater
1981 Nov 25 ± 5 days	1982 Mar 2	Confirmed	1	Historical
1981 Feb (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	1	Historical
1976 Nov 3	1978 Jan (in or after)	Confirmed	1	Historical
1975 May	1976 Mar	Confirmed	0	Historical
1969 Feb 11	1971 Dec (in or after)	Confirmed	2	Historical
1966 Jun	1966 Jun	Confirmed	1	Historical
1965 Jan 16	1965 Jan 28	Confirmed	1	Historical
1962 Jan	1962 Jan	Confirmed	1	Historical
1951 Jul 15 ± 45 days	1951 Oct 15 ± 5 days	Confirmed	2	Historical
1948 Jun	1949 Nov	Confirmed	2	Historical
1948 Jan	1948 Jan	Confirmed	2	Historical
1946 Apr	1946 Aug	Confirmed	2	Historical
1943 Dec	1944 Apr	Confirmed	2	Historical
[ 1941 ]	[ Unknown ]	Uncertain
1940 Jun	1940 Oct	Confirmed	2	Historical
1939 Nov	1939 Nov	Confirmed	2	Historical
1939 Jan	1939 Jun	Confirmed	2	Historical
1937 Nov	1938 Aug	Confirmed	2	Historical
1934 Jan	Unknown	Confirmed	2	Historical
1929 Jan	1929 Jan	Confirmed	1	Historical
1928	Unknown	Confirmed	2	Historical
1927 Aug	1927 Nov	Confirmed	2	Historical
[ 1919 Oct 26 ± 5 days ]	[ Unknown ]	Uncertain	2
[ 1918 Jan ]	[ Unknown ]	Uncertain	2
1907 Nov	Unknown	Confirmed	2	Historical
[ ~~1850~~ ]	[ ~~Unknown~~ ]	Discredited
1791 Jan 24	Unknown	Confirmed		Historical
1765	Unknown	Confirmed	2	Historical
[ 1743 Apr ]	[ Unknown ]	Uncertain	2
1685 Aug	Unknown	Confirmed	2	Historical
1613	Unknown	Confirmed	2	Historical
1529	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Historical
1527 (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Historical

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 were 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, and these eruptions may have originated from Telica, whose upper slopes in contrast are unvegetated. The steep-sided cone of 1061-m-high 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.