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San Vicente

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 13.595°N
  • 88.837°W

  • 2,182 m
    7,159 ft

  • 343070
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 4 November-10 November 2009 Citation IconCite this Report

According to news articles, heavy rains caused landslides and flooding in the town of Verapaz, about 6 km NW of the summit of San Vicente, during 7-8 November. Mud and boulders swept down the flanks San Vicente, and in conjunction with flooded rivers, buried homes and cars; at least 144 people were killed and about 60 were missing.

Sources: Associated Press, Associated Press


Most Recent Bulletin Report: October 2009 (BGVN 34:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Landslide in November 2009 after heavy rains

During 7-8 November 2009, heavy rains caused landslides and flooding in areas NE to NW of San Vicente in central El Salvador (figure 12), resulting in flooded rivers, buried homes and car, and casualties. The most recent volcanic activity consisted of lava flows that were covered by an eruption of neighboring Ilopango volcano in 260 AD. According to the USGS, previous earthquake-and rainfall-triggered landslides and lahars occurred in 1774, 1934, 1996, and 2001. In 1774, a lahar on the NE flank affected the town of San Vicente. The 1934 lahar on the N flank destroyed the town of Tepetitan, more than 6 km from the summit. In 1996, landslides and lahars on the S flank damaged the major roadway between Tecoluca (17 km NW) and Zacatecoluca (6 km SSW). On 13 February 2001, a M 6.6 earthquake caused more than 25 landslides on the N and NW flanks of the volcano that reportedly killed 39 people. However, no subsequent volcanic activity occurred from San Vicente, San Miguel, San Salvador, or Santa Ana volcanoes.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 12. Location map of San Vicente volcano in the Departamento of San Vicente, in El Salvador. The country is divided into 14 Departamentos; five of these were affected by the 7-8 November events. The capital is San Salvador, 40 km WNW of San Vicente.

Frequent and heavy rains on 7 November 2009 and into the next morning caused landslides, lahars, and flooding in the major drainages around the northern flanks of San Vicente. Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET) reported that debris flows traveled up to 7 km away, severely affecting roads and towns. Loss of life and property were particularly severe in Verapaz, population ~ 3,000, (about 6 km NW of the summit) and Guadalupe (5 km NW from the summit, on the flanks), although damage was reported in several areas, including in the capital of San Salvador, 40 km WNW. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the rate of rainfall at San Vicente volcano was 81 mm/hour, for a total of 355 mm in a 24-hour period. Five of the 14 Departamentos were affected by events caused by the rainfall: San Vicente, La Paz, La Libertad, San Salvador, and Cuscatlán.

On 9 November an eyewitness living in Verapaz noted in media reports that, "It was about two in the morning when the rain started coming down harder, and the earth started shaking... The next thing I knew I was lying among parts of the walls of my house." Another resident stated, "I started to hear roaring noises and the ground began to shake. Then my windows broke and lots of mud came in..." According to news articles, about 300 houses were flooded when a river in the town overflowed. Extensive damage was done to roads (figure 13), water and power sevices, and croplands in Verapaz.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 13. A resident walks through an area hit by a landslide after torrential rains in Verapaz, El Salvador, on 9 November 2009. Photo by Yuri Cortez, AFP/Getty Images.

In the capital of San Salvador, eyewitnesses described an area of 8 km2 that had been covered by rocks, mud, and debris, and that many houses and hamlets had completely disappeared. At least six bridges were swept away and landslides blocked major and secondary roads, cutting communication and hindering clean-up efforts.

Based on information from PAHO, the number of people in shelters peaked on 16 November at 15,090. As of 22 November, 198 people had died, 77 were missing, and 5,759 remained in shelters. The estimated number of affected people was 75,000.

Information Contacts: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET), Km. 5 1/2 carretera a Santa Tecla y Calle las Mercedes, contiguo a Parque de Pelota, Edificio SNET, Apartado Postal 27, Centro de Gobierno, El Salvador 2283-2246 (URL: http://www.snet.gob.sv/); Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) - El Salvador, 73 Avenida Sur No. 135, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador, El Salvador (URL: http://devserver.paho.org/els/); Associated Press (URL: http://www.ap.org/); Los Angeles Times, 202 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA (URL: http://www.latimes.com/); BBC News (URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/).

Weekly Reports - Index


2009: November
2001: February


4 November-10 November 2009 Citation IconCite this Report

According to news articles, heavy rains caused landslides and flooding in the town of Verapaz, about 6 km NW of the summit of San Vicente, during 7-8 November. Mud and boulders swept down the flanks San Vicente, and in conjunction with flooded rivers, buried homes and cars; at least 144 people were killed and about 60 were missing.

Sources: Associated Press; Associated Press


14 February-20 February 2001 Citation IconCite this Report

There were reports of volcanic activity at San Vicente volcano after a M 6.6 earthquake occurred at 1422 on 13 February. The earthquake caused more than 25 landslides on the flanks of the volcano that reportedly killed 39 people. The Centro de Investigaciones Geotécnicas investigated the activity reports and determined that no volcanic activity had occurred. In addition, the government reported that there was no volcanic activity at San Miguel, San Salvador, or Santa Ana volcanoes.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET); US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program; US Geological Survey Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP); Diario del Hoy (elsalvador.com); La Prensa Grafica


Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

10/2009 (BGVN 34:10) Landslide in November 2009 after heavy rains




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


October 2009 (BGVN 34:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Landslide in November 2009 after heavy rains

During 7-8 November 2009, heavy rains caused landslides and flooding in areas NE to NW of San Vicente in central El Salvador (figure 12), resulting in flooded rivers, buried homes and car, and casualties. The most recent volcanic activity consisted of lava flows that were covered by an eruption of neighboring Ilopango volcano in 260 AD. According to the USGS, previous earthquake-and rainfall-triggered landslides and lahars occurred in 1774, 1934, 1996, and 2001. In 1774, a lahar on the NE flank affected the town of San Vicente. The 1934 lahar on the N flank destroyed the town of Tepetitan, more than 6 km from the summit. In 1996, landslides and lahars on the S flank damaged the major roadway between Tecoluca (17 km NW) and Zacatecoluca (6 km SSW). On 13 February 2001, a M 6.6 earthquake caused more than 25 landslides on the N and NW flanks of the volcano that reportedly killed 39 people. However, no subsequent volcanic activity occurred from San Vicente, San Miguel, San Salvador, or Santa Ana volcanoes.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 12. Location map of San Vicente volcano in the Departamento of San Vicente, in El Salvador. The country is divided into 14 Departamentos; five of these were affected by the 7-8 November events. The capital is San Salvador, 40 km WNW of San Vicente.

Frequent and heavy rains on 7 November 2009 and into the next morning caused landslides, lahars, and flooding in the major drainages around the northern flanks of San Vicente. Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET) reported that debris flows traveled up to 7 km away, severely affecting roads and towns. Loss of life and property were particularly severe in Verapaz, population ~ 3,000, (about 6 km NW of the summit) and Guadalupe (5 km NW from the summit, on the flanks), although damage was reported in several areas, including in the capital of San Salvador, 40 km WNW. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the rate of rainfall at San Vicente volcano was 81 mm/hour, for a total of 355 mm in a 24-hour period. Five of the 14 Departamentos were affected by events caused by the rainfall: San Vicente, La Paz, La Libertad, San Salvador, and Cuscatlán.

On 9 November an eyewitness living in Verapaz noted in media reports that, "It was about two in the morning when the rain started coming down harder, and the earth started shaking... The next thing I knew I was lying among parts of the walls of my house." Another resident stated, "I started to hear roaring noises and the ground began to shake. Then my windows broke and lots of mud came in..." According to news articles, about 300 houses were flooded when a river in the town overflowed. Extensive damage was done to roads (figure 13), water and power sevices, and croplands in Verapaz.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 13. A resident walks through an area hit by a landslide after torrential rains in Verapaz, El Salvador, on 9 November 2009. Photo by Yuri Cortez, AFP/Getty Images.

In the capital of San Salvador, eyewitnesses described an area of 8 km2 that had been covered by rocks, mud, and debris, and that many houses and hamlets had completely disappeared. At least six bridges were swept away and landslides blocked major and secondary roads, cutting communication and hindering clean-up efforts.

Based on information from PAHO, the number of people in shelters peaked on 16 November at 15,090. As of 22 November, 198 people had died, 77 were missing, and 5,759 remained in shelters. The estimated number of affected people was 75,000.

Information Contacts: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET), Km. 5 1/2 carretera a Santa Tecla y Calle las Mercedes, contiguo a Parque de Pelota, Edificio SNET, Apartado Postal 27, Centro de Gobierno, El Salvador 2283-2246 (URL: http://www.snet.gob.sv/); Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) - El Salvador, 73 Avenida Sur No. 135, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador, El Salvador (URL: http://devserver.paho.org/els/); Associated Press (URL: http://www.ap.org/); Los Angeles Times, 202 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA (URL: http://www.latimes.com/); BBC News (URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/).

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

The Global Volcanism Program is not aware of any Holocene eruptions from San Vicente. If this volcano has had large eruptions (VEI >= 4) prior to 12,000 years ago, information might be found on the San Vicente page in the LaMEVE (Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions) database, a part of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for San Vicente.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for San Vicente.

Photo Gallery

San Vicente is seen here from the north along the Pan-American highway. Numerous hot springs and fumaroles are found on its flanks.

Photo by Kristal Dorion, 1994 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Ilopango caldera is seen in this aerial view from the SW with San Vicente stratovolcano to the right. The latest collapse of the 13 x 17 km caldera occurred after a powerful eruption during 536-550 CE that produced widespread pyroclastic flows and devastated early Mayan cities. The caldera now contains a lake with lava domes forming small islands near the shore and near its center.

Copyrighted photo by Stephen O'Meara.
This view from the summit of San Miguel shows the E-W-trending volcanic chain between it and San Vicente volcano, the peak in the distance to the right. The flank of Chinameca in the foreground (right) and the broad El Tigre volcano is in the center. Behind El Tigre are the peaks of the Tecapa volcanic complex and to the far left is Usulután.

Photo by Carlos Pullinger, 1996 (Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales, El Salvador).
The Apastepeque volcanic field consists of a cluster of about two dozen lava domes, scoria cones, and craters NE of San Vicente volcano, the large edifice to the left. The Laguna de Apastepeque crater is to the right, below Cerro Las Delicias lava dome. Near the center of the horizon is Cerro Santa Rita lava dome.

Photo by Carlos Pullinger, 1996 (Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales, El Salvador).
Lobate lava flows are seen on the northern flank of San Vicente. These and other flows of San Vicente were emplaced within 7 km of the summit and are overlain by pumice of the Tierra Blanca Joven (TBJ) formation, erupted from neighboring Ilopango caldera about 1,500 years ago.

Photo by Carlos Pullinger, 1994 (Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales, El Salvador).
San Vicente is one of the largest volcanoes in El Salvador and is seen here from the east. The 130 km3 edifice was constructed within the Pleistocene La Carbonera caldera.

Photo by Carlos Pullinger, 1994 (Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales, El Salvador).
Fumaroles are seen here within Ausoles de Agua Agria, a large thermal area on the flank of San Vicente. Low-temperature fumaroles (less than 100°C) and hot springs are located along faults through the northern and western flanks.

Photo courtesy of Comisión Ejecutiva Hidroeléctricia del Río Lempa (CEL), 1992.
San Vicente is one of several volcanoes that have been the sites of geothermal exploration projects in El Salvador. The SV-1 well in the foreground is located on the northern flank. The low Cerro el Cerrón lava dome, part of the Apastepeque volcanic field, is to the NE on the left horizon.

Photo courtesy of Comisión Ejecutiva Hidroeléctricia del Río Lempa (CEL), 1992.
Lake Ilopango occupies the Ilopango caldera immediately east of the capital city of El Salvador, seen in the foreground. This view is from San Salvador volcano with San Vicente volcano in the background. The caldera formed during four major eruptions, the last of which was about 1,500 years ago. This eruption deposited ash and pumice over much of central and western El Salvador.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 1999 (Smithsonian Institution).
The easternmost peak of San Vicente is seen here from the NE along the road to the city of San Vicente. The hill in the foreground (left) is Cerro Ramírez, a flank cone that is one of the most recent features of the volcanic complex.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 1999 (Smithsonian Institution).
San Vicente is one of El Salvador's largest volcanoes. The hill in the foreground is a hummock of the Tecoluca debris avalanche deposit on the SE flank, with the main edifice in the background. The avalanche and associated lahars traveled about 25 km to the Río Lempa.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1999 (Smithsonian Institution).
San Vicente is seen here from the SE. The modern edifice is largely constructed of thick lobate lava flows that originated primarily from summit vents and a vent on the eastern flank.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1999 (Smithsonian Institution).
San Vicente rises about 2 km above the Pacific coastal plain of El Salvador. The volcano has formed within the Pleistocene La Carbonera caldera and has buried the eastern caldera rim. The edifice and caldera are within the 20-30 km wide Central Graben within Tertiary volcanic basement rocks.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1999 (Smithsonian Institution).
This view to the east across the main El Salvador volcanic front shows San Vicente volcano in the foreground and Tecapa, El Tigre, and Usulután volcanoes to the upper right. The small cone in the saddle between Usulután and El Tigre is Cerro Oromontique. Behind Tecapa and El Tigre is conical San Miguel, and to its right in the far distance is Conchagua volcano.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1999 (Smithsonian Institution).
Flights from the international airport at San Salvador often pass close to San Vicente volcano, seen here from the south. The edifice is within the La Carbonera caldera, which formed during a major Plinian explosive eruption during the Pleistocene.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 2002 (Smithsonian Institution).
San Vicente is seen here in 2002 with landslide scarps that were produced during the January 2001 earthquake. The San Vicente area and towns at the base of the volcano were particularly affected by the tectonic earthquake and suffered extensive damage. The Tecapa volcanic complex and conical San Miguel volcano are in the distance.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 2002 (Smithsonian Institution).
Fumaroles and sulfur deposits on the northern flank of San Vicente (or Chichontepeque) are shown in this 2011 photo. Two geothermal areas are on the N flank, located along two radial faults. These are the surface manifestations of a 12 km2 geothermal reservoir, producing thermal springs and fumaroles.

Photo by Lis Gallant, 2011.
GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for San Vicente in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites