San Miguel Volcano

Updated: Mar 25, 2025 18:07 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

El Salvador, 13.43°N / -88.27°W

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Summit height: 2130 m / 6,988 ft

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Last update: 14 Oct 2023 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

San Miguel volcano (also known locally as Chaparrastique) in eastern El Salvador is a symmetrical stratovolcano and one of the most active volcanoes of the country. It rises majestically from near sea level to 2130 m elevation and forms a prominent land mark.
The volcano's summit lacks vegetation due to frequent eruptions, but its flanks are largely covered with coffee plantations.
San Miguel has a broad, deep crater complex, which has frequently changed morphology during historic eruptions recorded since the early 16th century.

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San Miguel webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: small to moderate phreatic and phreatomagmatic summit explosions
San Miguel volcano eruptions: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2002, 1997, 1995, 1985-86, 1976-77, 1970, 1967, 1966 (Jul), 1966 (Feb), 1964, 1954, 1939, 1936(?), 1931, 1930, 1929, 1919-20, 1890-91, 1884, 1882, 1867-68, 1862, 1857, 1855, 1854(?), 1844-48, 1819, 1811(?), 1798(?), 1787, 1769, 1762, 1699, 1510 ± 5 years

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Mar 12, 01:12 pm (GMT -6)	2.0 9 km	17 km (10.4 mi) to the SW	7 km Al Sureste De Usulután, El Salvador	Info

View recent quakes

Background

Radial fissures on the flanks of the basaltic-andesitic San Miguel volcano have fed a series of historical lava flows, including several erupted during the 17th-19th centuries that reached beyond the base of the volcano on the north, NE, and SE sides.
The SE-flank lava flows are the largest and form broad, sparsely vegetated lava fields crossed by highways and a railroad skirting the base of the volcano.
The location of flank vents has migrated higher on the edifice during historical time, and the most recent activity has consisted of minor ash eruptions from the summit crater.
(Source: GVP)

Significant volcanic eruptions: San Miguel volcano

In the past 10,000 years, San Miguel has had at least 41 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. Additionally, there are 4 uncertain or discredited eruptions from San Miguel volcano.

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

Date	Note	VEI
2022 Nov 15 - 2023 May 27	Historical obs./docs.	2
2020 Feb 22	Historical obs./docs.	1
2018 Jan 14 - Mar 4 ±4 d.	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2017 Jan 7	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2016 Jun 18	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2016 Jan 12 - Jan 18	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2015 Aug 13	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2015 Jan 26 - Apr 11	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2013 Dec 29 - 2014 Jul 28	Summit Crater Historical obs./docs.	3
2002 Jan 16	Historical obs./docs.	1
1997 Dec 31	Historical obs./docs.	1
1995 Jan 12 - Apr 19	Historical obs./docs.	1
1985 Nov 16 ±15 d. - 1986 Feb 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
1976 Dec 2 - 1977 Mar 1	Historical obs./docs.	1
1970 Mar 30 - Apr 5	Historical obs./docs.	1
1967 Jan 5	Historical obs./docs.	2
1966 Jul 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1966 Feb 22	Historical obs./docs.	2
1965 Jun 14	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	2
1964 Oct 23 - Nov 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1954 Oct 21	Historical obs./docs.	2
1939 May - Jul	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1936 ?	Uncertain Eruption	2
1931 Mar - Jun	Historical obs./docs.	2
1930 Jan 26 ±5 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1929 Aug	Historical obs./docs.	2
1920 Aug 14 - 1925	Historical obs./docs.	2
1919 Dec 10 - 1920 Jan	Historical obs./docs.	2

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 of San Miguel volcano

2002-2006 unrest and seismic activity
Following the small eruption in January 2002, San Miguel volcano remained restless for over 4 years, with periods of increased seismic activity, landslides inside the crater, increased fumarole activity, and lahars triggered by heavy rains. The volcano was on alert several times, but no eruption occurred in this period. ...more info

2002 eruption
On 16 January, gas and steam emissions with some ash were observed at San Miguel, reaching a few 100 meters above the summit crater

2000-2001 lahars
A large lahar occurred on 26 August 2000 and damaged houses and a highway north of the volcano. On 6 September 2001, another lahar damaged a highway.

1997 eruption
A small eruption occurred on 31 December 1997 and produced minor ashfall.

1995 eruption
A small eruption occurred on 23 March 1995. ...more info

1976-77 eruption
After 6 years of dormancy, San Miguel started erupting on 2 December 1976. The eruption built a new spatter cone in the central crater and continued until 12 December. It paused for 56 days and resumed on 28 February the following year and ended on 1 March.

1970 eruption
An eruption of San Miguel volcano started on 30 March 1970 and lasted until 4 April. It consisted of small ash emissions, sometimes accompanied by loud explosions.
The first ash eruption could be heard 4 km away and produced an ash plume rising 400 m above the crater. Light ashfall occurred at up to 10 km distance.

San Miguel Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of San Miguel volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of San Miguel occurred during 2022 - 2023.

+How often does San Miguel volcano erupt?

Since 1510 AD, San Miguel volcano has had at least 41 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 12.6 years.
Many eruptions of San Miguel have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 53 out of 515 years until now. In other words, San Miguel has been active at least one in 9.7 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from San Miguel is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is San Miguel volcano at present?

San Miguel volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 33 eruptions, and been active during 33 years out of 126 as of now. This means, San Miguel has been in eruption one in 3.8 years on average. The last eruption was from 2022 until 2023 and ended 2 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of San Miguel volcano?

The largest eruption of San Miguel volcano in historic times occurred during 2013 - 2014. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

San Miguel Volcano Maps

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).