About Cinotepeque, Cerro
Cinotepeque, Cerro is a volcanic field rising to 665 meters (2,182 feet) in El Salvador's Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Cinotepeque, Cerro is located in El Salvador, within the Central America Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.02° N, 89.25° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 665 meters above sea level, Cinotepeque, Cerro is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Cinotepeque, Cerro sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in El Salvador near Cinotepeque, Cerro, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is no data (checked), which influences the viscosity of the magma and, consequently, the style of eruptions this volcano produces. Rock chemistry is one of the most important factors in determining whether a volcano erupts explosively or effusively.
GVP Reference Summary
Cerro Cinotepeque is the largest and most prominent of a group of four pyroclastic cones mapped as Holocene by Weber and Weismann (1978) in low-lying areas on either side of the Río Lempa, ~40 km N of San Salvador. Cinotepeque lies south of the river; Cerro Colorado, Cerro Santiago, and Cerro Mosquito lie immediately north of the river. Two additional cones are about 10 km farther north, just beyond the town of Nuevo Concepcion. A large group of small Pleistocene stratovolcanoes and pyroclastic cones constructed along NW-SE-trending faults is located west and south of Cinotepeque and west of Guazapa volcano.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Cinotepeque, Cerro.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinotepeque, Cerro
Is Cinotepeque, Cerro an active volcano?+
Cinotepeque, Cerro is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Cinotepeque, Cerro?+
Cinotepeque, Cerro has a summit elevation of 665 meters (2,182 feet) above sea level. At 665 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Cinotepeque, Cerro?+
Cinotepeque, Cerro is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Cinotepeque, Cerro located?+
Cinotepeque, Cerro is located in El Salvador, in the Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central America Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 14.020° latitude, -89.250° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Cinotepeque, Cerro?+
Cinotepeque, Cerro can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. El Salvador may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
