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Tenorio

Photo of this volcano
  • Costa Rica
  • Stratovolcano(es)
  • Unknown - Evidence Credible
  •  
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 10.673°N
  • 85.015°W

  • 1916 m
    6286 ft

  • 345031
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: March 1999 (BGVN 24:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Tectonic earthquake swarm in late 1998

Tenorio volcano is located between Rincón de la Vieja (to the NW) and Arenal (to the SE). This region now has a new telemetric, digital seismic network consisting of six stations. Although not well instrumented for seismic measurements, Tenorio normally has very little seismic activity. In contrast to this historically moderate seismicity, an earthquake swarm with many tectonic events was recorded at both Tenorio and nearby Miravalles volcano during October and November 1997 (BGVN 22:10).

During October-November 1998 a total of 170 microearthquakes were recorded in the Tenorio area, 82 of which were located. Most events were recorded during 17-23 October, with up to 10 felt by people near the epicenter in Tierras Morenas (Barquero and Taylor, 1998). Magnitudes were 0.9-3.3 at depths of 0.5-10 km (most <2 km) and a maximum intensity of MM IV.

Within the Tenorio area are several fault systems oriented mainly NW-SE and NE-SW. There are also complex old volcanic caldera structures. The seismic swarms recorded in 1997 and 1998 denoted tectonic activity in these fault systems, considered neotectonic structures, and so they are not thought to be related to volcanic activity.

References. Barquero, R., and Taylor, W., 1998, Proyecto Geotérmico Tenorio: Los enjambres sísmicos periodo octubre-noviembre de 1997 y 1998: Informe preliminar. Inf. OSV 98.11 ICE, 15 p.

Further References. Boschini, I., 1998, Análisis preliminar del enjambre de sismos de la región de Miravalles-Tenorio de octubre y noviembre de 1997: Inf. OSV 98.08 ICE, 36 p.

ENEL, 1990: Estudios de reconocimiento y prefactibilidad geotérmica en la República de Costa Rica. Fase II. Estudio de prefactiblidad del area de Tenorio: Informe de Síntesis, 66 p.

ICE-ELC, 1983, informe geo-vulcanológico, Pyrotecto Geotérmico Miravalles: Informe interno ICE, 53 p.

Guillot, P.Y., Chiesa, S., and Alvarado, G., 1994, Chronostratigraphy of Upper Miocene-Quaternary volcanism in northern Costa Rica: Rev. Geol. Amér. Central, v. 17, p. 45-53.

Information Contacts: Rafael Barquero, Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico Arenal-Miravalles (OSIVAM), Instituo Costaricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apdo. 10032-1000, San José, Costa Rica.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Tenorio.

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.

10/1997 (BGVN 22:10) Small earthquake swarms near summit and SSW flank

03/1999 (BGVN 24:03) Tectonic earthquake swarm in late 1998




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


October 1997 (BGVN 22:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Small earthquake swarms near summit and SSW flank

During 5-27 October, 14 earthquakes were located on a 5-km-long SE-NW trend from the summit of Tenorio (figure 1). The swarm, centered around 10.7°N, 85.03°W, was possibly associated with known faults. The earthquakes had depths of 5-10 km and magnitudes of 0.6-2.1.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Major faults in the Guanacaste Range of Costa Rica and October earthquake locations around Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes. During 5-27 October, 620 earthquakes were recorded, but only 187 could be located. Courtesy of ICE.

An unrelated swarm consisting of 27 events occurred during the same period near the village of Tierras Morenas at the SSW foot of Tenorio. The swarm was centered at 10.6°N, 85.0°W and was aligned along a 7-km NE-SW trend, possibly correlating to known faults. The earthquakes had depths of 7-12 km and magnitudes of 0.4-3.3.

Information Contacts: Gerardo J. Soto and Waldo Taylor, Oficina de Sismología y Vulcanología, Departamento de Geología, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apartado 10032-1000, San José, Costa Rica.


March 1999 (BGVN 24:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Tectonic earthquake swarm in late 1998

Tenorio volcano is located between Rincón de la Vieja (to the NW) and Arenal (to the SE). This region now has a new telemetric, digital seismic network consisting of six stations. Although not well instrumented for seismic measurements, Tenorio normally has very little seismic activity. In contrast to this historically moderate seismicity, an earthquake swarm with many tectonic events was recorded at both Tenorio and nearby Miravalles volcano during October and November 1997 (BGVN 22:10).

During October-November 1998 a total of 170 microearthquakes were recorded in the Tenorio area, 82 of which were located. Most events were recorded during 17-23 October, with up to 10 felt by people near the epicenter in Tierras Morenas (Barquero and Taylor, 1998). Magnitudes were 0.9-3.3 at depths of 0.5-10 km (most <2 km) and a maximum intensity of MM IV.

Within the Tenorio area are several fault systems oriented mainly NW-SE and NE-SW. There are also complex old volcanic caldera structures. The seismic swarms recorded in 1997 and 1998 denoted tectonic activity in these fault systems, considered neotectonic structures, and so they are not thought to be related to volcanic activity.

References. Barquero, R., and Taylor, W., 1998, Proyecto Geotérmico Tenorio: Los enjambres sísmicos periodo octubre-noviembre de 1997 y 1998: Informe preliminar. Inf. OSV 98.11 ICE, 15 p.

Further References. Boschini, I., 1998, Análisis preliminar del enjambre de sismos de la región de Miravalles-Tenorio de octubre y noviembre de 1997: Inf. OSV 98.08 ICE, 36 p.

ENEL, 1990: Estudios de reconocimiento y prefactibilidad geotérmica en la República de Costa Rica. Fase II. Estudio de prefactiblidad del area de Tenorio: Informe de Síntesis, 66 p.

ICE-ELC, 1983, informe geo-vulcanológico, Pyrotecto Geotérmico Miravalles: Informe interno ICE, 53 p.

Guillot, P.Y., Chiesa, S., and Alvarado, G., 1994, Chronostratigraphy of Upper Miocene-Quaternary volcanism in northern Costa Rica: Rev. Geol. Amér. Central, v. 17, p. 45-53.

Information Contacts: Rafael Barquero, Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico Arenal-Miravalles (OSIVAM), Instituo Costaricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apdo. 10032-1000, San José, Costa Rica.

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 Tenorio. If this volcano has had large eruptions (VEI >= 4) prior to 10,000 years ago, information might be found on the Tenorio 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 Tenorio.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Tenorio.

Photo Gallery

The verdant forests mantling the Tenorio volcanic complex are seen from the Río Celeste drainage. The Tenorio complex consists of five volcanic cones aligned NNW-SSE. Several archaeological sites are located around the complex, testament to the importance of the area to prehispanic Indians. The Tenorio complex marks the SE end of the Guanacaste Range; a range of low hills separates it from the next volcano to the SE, Arenal.

Photo by William Melson, 1985 (Smithsonian Institution).
The forested Tenorio volcanic complex contains a group of volcanic cones at the SE end of the Guanacaste Range. Geothermal activity is present on the NE flank.

Photo by Cindy Stine, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Vegetation covers overlapping lava flows that descend the NE flank of the Tenorio volcanic complex. The summit of Volcán Tenorio, the highest peak of the complex, has two small craters.

Photo by William Melson, 1985 (Smithsonian Institution).
La Casa thermal spring is located in El Roble thermal area on the NE flank of the Tenorio volcanic complex. At the nearby Los Quemados thermal area 1 km to the south, vegetation has been destroyed over an area of 2,500 m2, and geothermal activity has killed small animals.

Photo by Jorge Barquero, 1998 (OVSICORI-UNA).
Cerro Montezuma volcano in the Tenorio volcanic complex is seen here from the SW. The Tenorio complex marks the SE limit of the Guanacaste Range, which extends NW towards the Nicaragua border. This complex of five volcanic cones along a NNW-SSE trend has a cluster of volcanic domes at its northern end. No confirmed historical eruptions have occurred at Tenorio. Despite the report of a volcanic eruption in 1816, the volcano was densely forested at the time of its December 1864 visit by Seebach.

Photo by Jorge Barquero, 1987 (OVSICORI-UNA).
Wispy clouds cling to the walls of Tenorio's crater lake. This densely forested volcano provides habitat for some of Costa Rica's most exotic wildlife, including pumas, jaguars, tapirs, and a wide variety of bird life. Heavy rainfall in this forested terrain feeds crystalline waters that are important in regional hydrology.

Photo by Eliecer Duarte (OVSICORI-UNA).
GVP Map Holdings

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. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 38 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 116066-203 Lapilli -- 7 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-204 Tephra -- 7 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-209 Pumice -- 7 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-245 Carbonized Wood -- 9 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-251 Pumice Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-254 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-257 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-258 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-260 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-262 Tephra -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-263 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-265 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-266 Tephra -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-267 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-268 Tephra -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-269 Tephra -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-270 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-271 Tephra -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-272 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-273 Lapilli -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-274 Tephra -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-277 Basaltic Andesite -- 12 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-280 Ignimbrite -- 13 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-281 Ignimbrite -- 13 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-282 Carbonized Wood -- 13 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-286 Pumice Lapilli -- 13 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-289 Lapilli -- 13 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-295 Tephra -- 13 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-296 Tephra -- 13 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-331 Andesite -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-332 Andesite -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-335 Andesite -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-336 Fumarole Minerals -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-337 Fumarole Minerals -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-338 Andesite -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-341 Andesite -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-342 Tephra -- 17 Mar 1985
NMNH 116066-343 Andesite -- 17 Mar 1985
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