About Guazapa
Guazapa is a stratovolcano rising to 1,438 meters (4,718 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
Guazapa is located in El Salvador, within the Central America Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 13.90° N, 89.12° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,438 meters above sea level, Guazapa is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
Guazapa is a massive, eroded Pleistocene stratovolcano ~20 km NNE of the city of San Salvador. The basaltic volcano has no trace of its original summit crater, and deep canyons cut its flanks. Several pyroclastic cones and lava flows of similar composition found at the base of the volcano were thought to be Holocene by Williams and Meyer-Abich (1955). The Macanze scoria cone, ~4 km SE from the base of the edifice, was considered to have probably been active only a few thousand years ago; however, Weber and Wiesemann (1978) did not map Holocene vents in this area.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Guazapa.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Guazapa
Is Guazapa an active volcano?+
Guazapa is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Guazapa?+
Guazapa has a summit elevation of 1,438 meters (4,718 feet) above sea level. At 1,438 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Guazapa?+
Guazapa is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Guazapa located?+
Guazapa 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 13.900° latitude, -89.120° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Guazapa?+
Guazapa 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.
