Concepción Volcan

Updated: 24 avril. 2025 03:35 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Nicaragua, 11.54°N / -85.62°W

+Heure locale:

Lever du soleil:

Coucher du soleil:

Lever de lune:

Coucher de lune:

Summit height: 1700 m / 5,577 ft

Condition actuelle: Activité petite ou avertissement éruption imminente (3 sur 5)

Last update: 23 mai 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

The steep stratovolcano Conception in January 2012 (photo: Antony / www.facebook.com/antony.van)

Concepción volcano is a steep symmetrical stratovolcano with a perfect shape and one of the most active volcanoes of Nicaragua. During the past 100 years, it has been in a near-constant state of small to medium ash explosions at irregular intervals.
Together with its neighbor Madera volcano Concepción forms the NW half of the dumbbell-shaped island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. Both volcanoes are connected by a narrow isthmus.
Frequent explosive eruptions during the past decades have increased the height of its summit significantly (more than 100 m) and outdated the existing topographic maps. Because of the frequent ash eruptions, the upper half of the summit cone lacks vegetation.
The basaltic-to-dacitic Concepción volcano contains a steep-walled 250 m summit crater with a higher western rim. Flank vents are aligned on N-S-trending fractures and contain chains of spatter cones, cinder cones, lava domes, and maars on the NW, NE, SE, and southern sides. Some of these vents are found down to Lake Nicaragua.

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Concepción webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes

Style éruptif tipique: intermittent small ash explosions
Eruptions du volcan Concepción: 2012, 2009-11, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 1999, 1988, 1985-86, 1984-85, 1983, 1982, 1978, 1977, 1973-74, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1957, 1951-55, 1948-50, 1944-45, 1935, 1929, 1928, 1921-26, 1918-19, 1907-10, 1902, 1891, 1884-86, 1883, 1800 ± 50 years, 770 BC ± 50 years (radiocarbon)

Derniers séismes proches

Date et l'heure	Mag / Prof.	Distance / Lieux
10 avril 04:33 (Managua)	3.8 12 km	16 km à l'ouest	18 km au nord de Rivas, Rivas, Nicaragua	Info

Voir tous

Introduction

Volcán Concepción was constructed after Lake Nicaragua and rises 1600 m above a package of about 1000 m of lake sediments. The modern cone is built upon a caldera of an older generation of the volcano. A small remnant of this caldera forms a break in slope about halfway up the north flank.

Due to its particular setting above lake sediments rich in mobile clay, the volcano has been experiencing gravity-induced spreading of its edifice.

Geologic evolution
It has been proposed that Concepción undergoes cycles of magma evolution from basaltic to evolved dacitic and andesitic magma. It is possible that the current activity which is mainly basaltic is at the beginning of a 5th cycle.
1 Sub-lacrustine eruptions
The earliest volcanic layers are found on the northwest and southeast shores of Lake Nicaragua and overly directly mudstone. Magma intruded the crust and erupted basaltic rocks at the surface of the lake floor.
2 Building a first cone
A cone is built above the lake and its weight starts to deform the base, while pyroclastic sediments form an apron around the cone. Magma starts collects in a shallow chamber and evolves towards dacitic compositions during this phase.
3 Destructive phase
A major plinian explosive eruption causes the collapse of a small caldera, which is now buried, and the formation of several fault systems, which facilitate future eruptions. At the same time, the lateral spreading of the volcano is temporarily halted because of the redistribution of load. The pumice and ash layer from this eruption is known as the Tierra Blanca layer.
4 Second building phase
A new cone is built and magma evolves again with time. Magmas are erupted with greater ease than during the previous phase and evolve from
high-alumina basalt to silicic andesite. After reaching a critical mass, the sedimentary substratum start to subside and the volcano spreads. Lowered pressure and stress on the shallow reservoir seems to have prevented the magma to evolve further than andesite. Numerous intrusions form diapirs beneath the lower flanks.
5 Future spreading phase
The complex of intrusions at the base of the lake sediments will eventually begin to spread. The pure E-W extension observed today on the fault that cuts the summit could be a sign of this incipient creeping. This extension of may eventually decrease the stress on the crust sufficiently to allow the eruption of basaltic magmas. This phase may be beginning now.

Volcanic deposits
The prevailing trade winds carry most ash to the west, where they form thick layers, 50 m think at Moyogalpa 8 km west of the crater. Almost no ash is found in the coastal plain north and south of the volcano. Lava flows have mainly been deposited to the east.

Sources:
Borgia, A., van Wyk de Vries, B. (2003) "The volcano-tectonic evolution of Concepción, Nicaragua", Bull Volc, v. 65, pp. 248–266

Éruptions volcaniques importantes: volcano Concepción

In the past 10,000 years, Concepción has had at least 33 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 32 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Concepción volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Concepción volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Concepción can be found on the news page of Concepción volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Dommages
2024 Mai 16	Obs./docs historiques	?	inconnu
2009 Déc 11 - 2011 Mar 12	Obs./docs historiques	1	inconnu
2008 Jul 30	Obs./docs historiques	1	inconnu
2007 Nov 24 - Déc 20	Obs./docs historiques	2?	inconnu
2007 Fév 9 - Jul 10	Obs./docs historiques	1	inconnu
2006 Sep 1 - Sep 21	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
2005 Jul 28 - Nov 10	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1999 Déc 27 - Déc 29 ?	Obs./docs historiques	1	inconnu
1988 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1985 Déc 2 ±1 d. - 1986 Avr 20 ?	Obs./docs historiques	1	inconnu
1984 Déc 16 ±15 d. - 1985 Jan 2	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1983 Mar 16 - Mar 25	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1982 Jan 15 ±5 d. - Fév 14 ±5 d.	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1978 Mar 30 ou avant - Mai 16 ±15 d.	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1977 Avr 4 - Mai 3	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1973 Déc 24 - 1974 Jan 12	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1963 Mai 9	Obs./docs historiques	1	inconnu
1962 Jun 16 ±15 d.	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
?? 1961 Nov 28 - Déc 16 ±15 d.	Éruption incertaine	2?	inconnu
1957 Mar 27 - Jul 16 ±15 d.	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1951 Jul 16 ±15 d. - 1955 Mai 16 ±15 d.	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1948 - 1950 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Obs./docs historiques	1	inconnu
1944 Avr - 1945 Déc	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1935 Fév	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1929 Août - Oct	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1928 Jan 25	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1921 Déc - 1926 Mai	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1918 Jan - 1919 Jul	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1907 Sep - 1910	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu
1902	Obs./docs historiques	2	inconnu

Plus

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions du volcan Concepción

2007-2009 eruptions
Eruptions at Concepción during 2007-09 consisted of intermittent small ash explosions, often many months apart. Eruptions occurred on 9 February, 8 April, and 22 April 2007, during June-July 2007, November-December 2007, July 2008, and December 2009.

2006 eruption
A series of small ash eruptions occurred in September 2006. ...plus d'info

2005 eruption
An ash explosion occurred on 28 July and ash fell on Moyagalpa town 8 km W of the summit, as well as at San Jorge, Buenos Aires, Potosí, and Belén in the western sector of the country.

1999 eruption
An eruption occurred on 27 December, producing a small 300 m tall ash column. The next day, ash fall was observed in San Jorge 25 km SW of Concepción.
During the next 5 years, no other eruptions seem to have occurred.

1993 crater morphology
On 10 January 1993, geologists climbed Concepción in unusually clear conditions, allowing a survey of the summit crater:
"The crater is almost circular, 300 m in diameter and about 250 m deep. The upper part has a funnel shape, which descends into a pit crater. The N and E sides have a break in slope half way down; the SW side is a vertical cliff. This cliff is the head scarp of a landslide that fell into the crater in December 1992, forming a 100-m-wide scree slope infilling part of the pit crater. A 30-m-wide elliptical area plastered with yellow sulfur and containing two small sulfur mounds is at the lowest point."
(Smithsonian / GVP monthly reporty)

1983-86 activity
A strong ash eruption began on 15 March 1983 and continued until 24 March, but caused no damage.
Small ash eruptions were observed in December 1984. A stronger explosion occurred on 2 January 1985, damaging tobacco and sesame crops and causing ash fall in the towns of Esquipulas, Los Angeles, and Moyogalpa.
More ash eruptions occurred between 4 February and 8 April 1986. They killed vegetation was killed over a distance of 3 km on the western side of the volcano. Some people living near the village of San José 8 km SW of the summit evacuated their houses.

1978 eruption
Strong ash eruptions occurred in late March 1978. Ashfall made life "intolerable" for persons living near the volcano, a newspaper wrote. Ash fell as far as Belén, on the Pacific Coast 28 km SW of Concepción.

1977 eruption
A strong eruptino occurred on 4 April 1977. The eruption lasted 1-2 minutes and lit the sky "like daylight". Earthquakes were felt at about 1.5 hours and at 2 minutes prior to the eruption and about 9 hours afterwards. During the next several weeks, frequent small ash eruptions, separated by periods of gas emission, caused light ashfalls on Isla de Ometepe.
16 separate explosions occurred between 29 April and 1 May. Some produced incandescent ash rising more than 1500 m above the summit. Ash fell intermittently at Rivas, 25 km SW of Concepción.
A few minor ash clouds were reported on 3 May.
(adapted from: Smithsonian/GVP monthly reports)

1973-74 eruptions
Small ash eruptions occurred on 24 December 1973 and 12 January 1974.

Eruptions prior to 1977
The historic activity up to 1977 was characterised by mild Strombolian or small Plinian eruptions of basalt to silicic andesite about every 10 years and silicic andesite lava flows about every 20 years. This activity has built most of the visible part of the cone. Since 1977, only minor ash eruptions and degassing episodes have been recorded. (from: Borgia & van Wyk de Vries, 2003)

Concepción Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Concepción volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Concepción occurred in 2024.

+How often does Concepción volcano erupt?

Since 1883, Concepción volcano has had at least 32 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 4.4 years.
Many eruptions of Concepción have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 53 out of 142 years until now. In other words, Concepción has been active at least one in 2.7 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Concepción is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Concepción volcano at present?

Concepción volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 48 eruptions, and been active during 48 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Concepción has been in eruption one in 2.6 years on average. The last eruption was in 2024 and ended 11 months ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Concepción volcano?

The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Concepción volcano occurred around 770 BC. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Dernières images satellite

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Derniers images satellite

Concepción Volcan Cartes

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).