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Apoyeque

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 12.242°N
  • 86.342°W

  • 518 m
    1,699 ft

  • 344091
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 5 September-11 September 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

INETER reported that a seismic swarm near Apoyeque started at 1627 on 6 September in an area between the volcano and Managua (less than 10 km SW). At the time of the report, almost four hours after the start of the event, 17 earthquakes had been detected; three events were M 2.3-3.7, at depths ranging from 2.8 to 6 km. No earthquakes were recorded on 9 September.

Source: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)


Most Recent Bulletin Report: October 2013 (BGVN 38:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic swarms in 2009 and 2012

Within the last five years, Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER) reported at least two seismic swarms at Apoyeque, and between the Chiltepe Peninsula and the city of Managua (~15 km SE) (figure 1). Our last report also highlighted swarms which lasted several hours and days in 2001 and 2007 (BGVN 34:04). Intermittent seismicity was reported within the region during 2009-2012, but events were rarely larger than M 2.5.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Regional maps showing Apoyeque and the tectonic setting. (A) Sketch map highlighting volcanic centers in Central America relative to the active subduction of Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. In Nicaragua active volcanism is concentrated inside the Nicaragua Depression (ND). The red box labeled "B" refers to the 50 x 50 km area that includes Apoyeque on the Chiltepe Peninsula. (B) This Landsat 7 image corresponds to the extent of the red box labeled "B" in the sketch map "A"; the Nejapa-Miraflores fault (NMF) marks an offset in the main arc and frequently generates seismicity. (C) Along the NMF, mainly monogenetic volcanoes have formed W of Managua city. Modified from Pardo and others, 2009.

2009 swarm. INETER reported a seismic swarm on 29 September 2009. It began at 1800 local time in an area W of Apoyeque volcano. The main event occurred at 1817 local time, with a ML 3.1 event at a depth of 5 km. The earthquake was felt by the population in Sandino City, ~5 km W of the earthquakes. The seismic swarm lasted until 2 October 2009; the total number of detected earthquakes was not disclosed.

2012 swarm. INETER reported a swarm that began at 1727 local time on 6 September 2012. The National Seismic Network detected and located the series of earthquakes between Apoyeque and the Nejapa-Miraflores fault (figure 1).

More than 20 earthquakes were detected and the two largest had magnitudes of 2.3 and 3.8, with depths of 2.8 and 6 km respectively; the largest event occurred at 1937 (figure 2). None of these earthquakes were reportedly felt by local populations and the event was assigned an Intensity II. The swarm lasted ~2 hours.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. Epicenters of the largest earthquakes from the Apoyeque swarm are plotted. INETER detected ~20 earthquakes on 6 September 2012 all within 30 km depth. Courtesy of INETER.

Avellán and others (2012) described the polygenetic Apoyeque volcano as belonging to the Nejapa volcanic field (figure 1), which is bound by the Nejapa fault system. There were 23 eruptions from the field within the last ~30 ka; 13 of these events were explosive (VEI 2). The most recent eruption was dated between 2,130 ± 40 and 1,245 ± 120 years BP. With respect to hazards implications, clear vent migration patterns were seemingly absent for this volcanic field. The authors concluded that there is a high probability of future, similar eruptions, particularly phreatomagmatic ones, within this area of Nicaragua.

References: Avellán, D.R., Macías, J.L., Pardo, N., Scolamacchia, T., and Rodriguez, D., 2012, Stratigraphy, geomorphology, geochemistry and hazard implications of the Nejapa Volcanic Field, western Managua, Nicaragua, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 213-214: 51-71.

Pardo, N., Macías, J.L., Giordano, G., Cianfarra, P., Avellán, D.R., and Bellatreccia, F., 2009, The ~1245 yr BP Asososca maar eruption: The youngest event along the Nejapa-Miraflores volcanic fault, Western Managua, Nicaragua, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 184: 292-312.

Information Contacts: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER), Apartado Postal 2110, Managua, Nicaragua (URL: http://www.ineter.gob.ni/).

Weekly Reports - Index


2012: September


5 September-11 September 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

INETER reported that a seismic swarm near Apoyeque started at 1627 on 6 September in an area between the volcano and Managua (less than 10 km SW). At the time of the report, almost four hours after the start of the event, 17 earthquakes had been detected; three events were M 2.3-3.7, at depths ranging from 2.8 to 6 km. No earthquakes were recorded on 9 September.

Source: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)


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.

01/1988 (SEAN 13:01) Sulfur smell from active fumaroles

04/1989 (SEAN 14:04) Lake temperature measured

04/2009 (BGVN 34:04) Repose continues, punctuated by occasional seismic swarms in 2001 and 2007

10/2013 (BGVN 38:10) Seismic swarms in 2009 and 2012




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


January 1988 (SEAN 13:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Sulfur smell from active fumaroles

The surface temperature of the crater lake was 28.1-28.8°C on 16 January at 0900. A slight smell of sulfur was evident at the N caldera rim, probably originating from fumaroles 100-200 m below. Fumaroles also remained active in Laguna Jiloa.

Information Contacts: B. van Wyk de Vries, H. Rymer, and G. Brown, Open Univ; P. Hradecky and H. Taleno, INETER.


April 1989 (SEAN 14:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Lake temperature measured

Surface temperature of the lake (measured with an 8-14 micrometer bandpass radiometer) varied between 28 and 30°C during fieldwork 8 April. A water temperature measured near the N shore was 25.5°C.

Information Contacts: C. Oppenheimer, Open Univ.


April 2009 (BGVN 34:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Repose continues, punctuated by occasional seismic swarms in 2001 and 2007

Seismic swarms took place during 2001 and 2007. The last overview of Apoyeque (BGVN14:04) reported slight variations of the crater lake's surface temperature of between 25 and 30°C (which began to rise in 1988). Faint sulfurous odors were noted as well as some active fumaroles.

Swarms were reported by INETER (Instituto Nicarag?ense de Estudios Territoriales) in a 23 September 2007 report. The first swarm, during January 2001, included earthquakes up to MR 5.2. This swarm was felt strongly in the cities of Managua (~ 8 km away) and in Ciudad Sandino. No damage was reported. The second swarm began on 21 September 2007, becoming more intense on 23 September, by which time there had been 10 earthquakes up to MR 2.8. Scores of smaller earthquakes were also detected at a seismometer in Apoyeque's crater.

INETER stated that, based on past cases at this volcano, such swarms can continue for days and might reach M 4-M 5 (as they had in January 2001). The typical pattern is for a series of smaller volcanic earthquakes to precede one or more larger ones. This is in contrast to earthquakes associated with the subduction of the Cocos plate, where larger earthquakes often precede substantially smaller ones.

Apoyeque remains in repose without documented historical eruptions. Tephrochronology (the study of ash layers, in this case including radiometric dating) indicates the most recent eruption here was large and took place about 50 BC (? 100 years) depositing the Chiltepe tephra. That tephra deposit has an estimated 4 km3 on-land volume and a total volume (including the offshore component) of about 18 km3(Kutterolf and others, 2008).

Reference. Kutterolf, S., Freundt, A., and Perez, W., 2008, Pacific offshore record of Plinian arc volcanism in Central America: 2. Tephra Volumes and erupted masses: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (G3), v. 8, Q02S02, doi: 10.1029/2007GC001791.

Information Contacts: Instituto Nicaraguense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER), Apartado Postal 2110, Managua, Nicaragua.


October 2013 (BGVN 38:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic swarms in 2009 and 2012

Within the last five years, Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER) reported at least two seismic swarms at Apoyeque, and between the Chiltepe Peninsula and the city of Managua (~15 km SE) (figure 1). Our last report also highlighted swarms which lasted several hours and days in 2001 and 2007 (BGVN 34:04). Intermittent seismicity was reported within the region during 2009-2012, but events were rarely larger than M 2.5.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Regional maps showing Apoyeque and the tectonic setting. (A) Sketch map highlighting volcanic centers in Central America relative to the active subduction of Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. In Nicaragua active volcanism is concentrated inside the Nicaragua Depression (ND). The red box labeled "B" refers to the 50 x 50 km area that includes Apoyeque on the Chiltepe Peninsula. (B) This Landsat 7 image corresponds to the extent of the red box labeled "B" in the sketch map "A"; the Nejapa-Miraflores fault (NMF) marks an offset in the main arc and frequently generates seismicity. (C) Along the NMF, mainly monogenetic volcanoes have formed W of Managua city. Modified from Pardo and others, 2009.

2009 swarm. INETER reported a seismic swarm on 29 September 2009. It began at 1800 local time in an area W of Apoyeque volcano. The main event occurred at 1817 local time, with a ML 3.1 event at a depth of 5 km. The earthquake was felt by the population in Sandino City, ~5 km W of the earthquakes. The seismic swarm lasted until 2 October 2009; the total number of detected earthquakes was not disclosed.

2012 swarm. INETER reported a swarm that began at 1727 local time on 6 September 2012. The National Seismic Network detected and located the series of earthquakes between Apoyeque and the Nejapa-Miraflores fault (figure 1).

More than 20 earthquakes were detected and the two largest had magnitudes of 2.3 and 3.8, with depths of 2.8 and 6 km respectively; the largest event occurred at 1937 (figure 2). None of these earthquakes were reportedly felt by local populations and the event was assigned an Intensity II. The swarm lasted ~2 hours.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. Epicenters of the largest earthquakes from the Apoyeque swarm are plotted. INETER detected ~20 earthquakes on 6 September 2012 all within 30 km depth. Courtesy of INETER.

Avellán and others (2012) described the polygenetic Apoyeque volcano as belonging to the Nejapa volcanic field (figure 1), which is bound by the Nejapa fault system. There were 23 eruptions from the field within the last ~30 ka; 13 of these events were explosive (VEI 2). The most recent eruption was dated between 2,130 ± 40 and 1,245 ± 120 years BP. With respect to hazards implications, clear vent migration patterns were seemingly absent for this volcanic field. The authors concluded that there is a high probability of future, similar eruptions, particularly phreatomagmatic ones, within this area of Nicaragua.

References: Avellán, D.R., Macías, J.L., Pardo, N., Scolamacchia, T., and Rodriguez, D., 2012, Stratigraphy, geomorphology, geochemistry and hazard implications of the Nejapa Volcanic Field, western Managua, Nicaragua, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 213-214: 51-71.

Pardo, N., Macías, J.L., Giordano, G., Cianfarra, P., Avellán, D.R., and Bellatreccia, F., 2009, The ~1245 yr BP Asososca maar eruption: The youngest event along the Nejapa-Miraflores volcanic fault, Western Managua, Nicaragua, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 184: 292-312.

Information Contacts: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER), Apartado Postal 2110, Managua, Nicaragua (URL: http://www.ineter.gob.ni/).

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

There is data available for 4 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

0050 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 6

Episode 1 | Eruption Apoyeque, Chiltepe Tephra
0050 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Apoyeque, Chiltepe Tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
0050 BCE ± 100 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1050 BCE ± 1000 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Los Cedros Tephra
1050 BCE ± 1000 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Los Cedros Tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
1050 BCE ± 1000 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2550 BCE ± 1500 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5

Episode 1 | Eruption W Chiltepe Peninsula, Mateare Tephra
2550 BCE ± 1500 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at W Chiltepe Peninsula, Mateare Tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
   - - - -    - - - - Tsunami
2550 BCE ± 1000 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

4160 BCE ± 30 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5

Episode 1 | Eruption Laguna Xiloá
4160 BCE ± 30 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Laguna Xiloá

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
4160 BCE ± 30 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Apoyeque.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Apoyeque.

Photo Gallery

Apoyeque stratovolcano forms the large Chiltepe Peninsula in central Lake Managua. A 2.8-km wide, 500-m-deep caldera truncates the volcano's summit, below and to the left of the airplane wing. Laguna de Jiloa, the large lake in the foreground, lies immediately SE of Apoyeque. The age of the latest eruption of Apoyeque is not known, but human footprints underlie pumice deposits thought to originate from Apoyeque volcano or a nearby vent beneath Lake Managua. Momotombo volcano is visible in the distance to the NW across Lake Managua.

Photo by Jaime Incer, 1981.
The forested Apoyeque stratovolcano is truncated by a 2.8-km-wide lake-filled caldera, seen here from the west. Another lake-filled caldera, Laguna de Jiloa, is located immediately to the SE.

Photo by Jaime Incer, 1975.
The summit caldera of Apoyeque volcano is filled by a scenic lake. The age of the latest eruption of Apoyeque is not known, but human footprints underlie pumice deposits thought to originate from Apoyeque volcano or a nearby vent beneath Lake Managua. This view is from the west caldera rim with the Chiltepe Hills in the background.

Photo by Alain Creusset-Eon, 1970 (courtesy of Jaime Incer).
An archaeological site at Acahualinca near Managua exposes human footprints that were covered by voluminous pumice-fall deposits from Apoyeque volcano. The footprints are older than the overlying ca. 6500 yrs Before Present (BP) Jiloa Pumice and may occur within a ca. 7500 yrs BP mudflow deposit from Masaya volcano and thus range between about 6500 and 7500 yrs BP. These renowned footprints are the oldest indication of human habitation in the Managua area.

Photo by Jaime Incer.
The deep blue Laguna de Jiloa (left) and the turquoise-colored Laguna Apoyeque dramatically fill two calderas on the Chiltepe Peninsula north of Managua. The 2.8-km-wide Apoyeque caldera, the source of the major Chiltepe Pumice about 2000 years ago, has a more circular outline than the scalloped 2.5 x 3 km wide Jiloa caldera, which was the site of a major explosive eruption about 6500 years ago.

Photo by Jaime Incer, 1980.
The SE shore of Laguna de Jiloa is the site of tourist resorts that are popular destinations from the nearby capital city of Managua. The Chiltepe Hills on the horizon beyond the caldera rim to the north are the high points of the Chiltepe Peninsula.

Photo by Jaime Incer, 1996.
Laguna de Apoyeque fills a 2.8-km-wide caldera constructed at the center of the Chiltepe Peninsula. The caldera rim rises about 400 m above the lake, whose surface lies only about 40 m above sea level. Two major pumice deposits erupted about 18,000-25,000 years ago originated from Apoyeque caldera. The Lower Apoyeque pumice was erupted about 22,000-25,000 years ago, while the Upper Apoyeque pumice, which forms a distinctive layer in the Managua area, was erupted a few thousand years later. Lake Managua lies at the upper right.

Photo by Jaime Incer, 1996.
Laguna de Jiloa was the source of a major explosive eruption about 6500 years ago that deposited the widespread Jiloa Pumice, which blankets the Managua area. Laguna de Jiloa (also spelled Xiloa) is seen here in an aerial view from the north with Lake Managua at the upper left. The rim of the 2.5-km-wide caldera is lowest on the SE (left) and rises to 220 m on the NW side. Cones of the Nejapa-Miraflores alignment can be seen extending to the south from the center of the far caldera rim.

Photo by Jaime Incer, 1996.
The broad Chiltepe Peninsula rises to the SE across the flood-stained waters of Lake Managua. Apoyeque caldera lies beyond its horizontal rim on the right-center horizon. The 11-km-wide peninsula extends into Lake Managua and marks the northern limit of a segment of the central Nicaraguan volcanic chain that is offset to the east.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).
The Chiltepe Peninsula is seen across Lake Managua from the south on the outskirts of the city of Managua. The broad peninsula extends into the lake about 6 km north of the city and lies at the northern end of a chain of pyroclastic cones and craters that extends into the city. The small conical peak on the far right horizon is Volcán Chiltepe.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).
A vigorous steam plume pours from Masaya volcano in this November 9, 1984 Space Shuttle image taken near the end of a two-decade-long eruptive episode. North lies to the lower right, with Lake Nicaragua at the lower left and Lake Managua at the lower right. To the left of the plume from Santiago crater is Lake Masaya (ponded against the rim of Masaya caldera) and the circular lake-filled Apoyo caldera. The two caldera lakes at the lower right are Apoyeque (light blue) and Jiloa (dark-colored), across the bay from the city of Managua.

NASA Space Shuttle image STS51A-32-64, 1984 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).
Two lake-filled calderas dominate the 11-km-wide Chiltepe Peninsula extending NE-ward into Lake Managua. Greenish Lake Apoyeque was the source of two major late-Pleistocene plinian pumice deposits, and dark-blue Lake Jiloa (Xiloa) produced the Jiloa Pumice about 6500 years ago. The two calderas cut the summit of the Chiltepe pyroclastic shield volcano. Nicaragua's capital city Managua, extending across much of the right side of the image, has been subjected to major tectonic earthquakes.

NASA International Space Station image ISS004-E-5765, 2002 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).
The Apoyeque caldera to the left and the Xiloá Maar to the right are part of the Apoyeque volcanic complex shown in this December 2019 Planet Labs satellite image monthly mosaic (N is at the top; this image is approximately 27 km across). Apoyeque is one of 11 features within the Chiltepe Volcanic Complex at the northern end of the Nejapa Volcanic Field. The ridge to the ENE of the caldera is composed of cones, domes, and lava flows, and Cerro Talpetate is south of the maar.

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2019 (https://www.planet.com/).
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 Apoyeque in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites