About Yojoa, Lago
Yojoa, Lago is a volcanic field rising to 1,060 meters (3,478 feet) in Honduras's Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 7638 BCE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Yojoa, Lago is located in Honduras, within the Central America Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.96° N, 87.98° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,060 meters above sea level, Yojoa, Lago 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
Yojoa, Lago 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 Honduras near Yojoa, Lago, 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 trachybasalt / tephrite basanite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Yojoa, Lago has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 11073 BCE to 7638 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 3,435 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The Lago Yojoa volcanic field consists a group of Pleistocene-to-Holocene scoria cones and collapse pits (Williams and McBirney, 1969). The principal NE-trending chain of cones cuts through Cerro Babilonia, the high point of this field N of Lake Yojoa, along the same fault pattern that bounds the limestone mountains bordering the lake. Most of the pyroclastic cones, consisting of basaltic scoria and agglutinate, are 100-200 m high, and some contain craters. Lava flows radiate in all directions from the cones. The longest flow traveled N to the village of Río Lindo, where a waterfall cascades over the terminus of the flow. A few Quaternary lava flows occur in the Sulu graben along the Carretara del Norte N of Lake Yojoa. The rocks range from tholeiitic basalts to trachybasalts, trachyandesites, and trachytes. Two trachyandesitic tephra beds attributed to local eruptions and sampled by Mehringer et al. (2005) from cores within the volcanic field, were found to have fallen shortly before 11,000 and about 8,600 14C years BP.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7638 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 11073 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Yojoa, Lago
Is Yojoa, Lago an active volcano?+
Yojoa, Lago is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 7638 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Yojoa, Lago last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Yojoa, Lago occurred in 7638 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Yojoa, Lago has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Yojoa, Lago?+
Yojoa, Lago has a summit elevation of 1,060 meters (3,478 feet) above sea level. At 1,060 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Yojoa, Lago?+
Yojoa, Lago 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 Yojoa, Lago located?+
Yojoa, Lago is located in Honduras, in the Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central America Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 14.964° latitude, -87.983° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Yojoa, Lago?+
Yojoa, Lago can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Honduras may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
