Volcan Izalco
Izalco Volcano is the youngest volcanic formation in the Cordilleras and one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, located in western El Salvador and considered one of the symbols of this country. Before the American dollar, Salvadorans used colones, and the 10 colones banknote bears the image of a cone-shaped volcano.
Highlights
Eruptions at Isalco Volcano occur at 8-minute intervals. First there is a strong tremor. Then a mushroom-shaped cloud of ash appears over the crater and rises to a height of 300 meters. The ash column can be seen from a great distance even during daylight hours, but the eruptions are particularly impressive at night from the ocean. Because of this, Isalco has been called by sailors the “Lighthouse Volcano” and “Pacific Lighthouse”. For over two hundred years it has been a reliable landmark for ships making their way along the coast of Central America.
.
The picturesque cone of the stratovolcano rises to an altitude of 1885 meters and is a real decoration of the Cerro Verde National Park. The crater has a diameter of 200 meters and reaches a depth of more than 40 meters. Due to the high activity, tourist access to Isalco volcano is closed. The best view of Isalco is from the slopes of the nearby Santa Ana volcano (2,385 m).
.In the national park you can see many exotic plants. The richness of the local flora is due to the soils generously fertilized with volcanic ash. Although farming in a volcanically active area is quite risky, there are plantations of sugar cane, coffee, cocoa and other crops.
.
Origin of the volcano
Isalco formed from the side southern caldera of the ancient Santa Ana volcano, and this occurred in 1770. For the first 150 years, the volcanic cone grew literally before our eyes and soon became visible from the ocean. Constant volcanic activity was observed until 1958, but then the volcano went quiet for a while.
.
In 1966, a major eruption occurred. During this cataclysm, the village of Matasano was destroyed and 56 people died. In the following years, activity has decreased, but every 8 minutes the Isalco volcano throws a column of red-hot ash into the air.
.
How to get there
Volcan Isalco is located in the Apaneca mountain range, 70 kilometers west of the capital city of San Salvador. Salvador International Airport is 40 km away from the city. From it San Salvador is reached by cab or shuttle bus. From the city to the village of Isalco, which stands near the volcano of the same name, is reached by cab and shuttle buses.
.
