Volcano Type: Complex volcano
Volcano Status: Historical
Last Known Eruption: 1954
Summit Elevation: 1088 m 3,570 feet
Latitude: 12.495°N 12°29’41″N
Longitude: 86.688°W 86°41’18″W
Las Pilas volcanic complex, overlooking Cerro Negro volcano to the NW, includes a diverse cluster of cones around the central vent, Las Pilas. A N-S-trending fracture system cutting across 1088-m-high Las Pilas (El Hoyo) is marked by numerous well-preserved flank vents, including maars, that are part of a 30-km-long volcanic massif. The Cerro Negro chain of cinder cones is listed separately in this compilation because of its extensive historical eruptions. The lake-filled Asososca maar is located adjacent to the conical 818-m-high Cerro Asososca cone on the southern side of the fissure system, south of the axis of the Marrabios Range. Two small maars west of Lake Managua are located at the southern end of the fissure. Aside from a possible eruption in the 16th century, the only historical eruptions of Las Pilas took place in the 1950s from a fissure that cuts the eastern side of the 700-m-wide summit crater and extends down the north flank.
The volcano has been built from activity in numerous craters. The largest and most recent crater in situated on the southern side and measures 700 m wide and 120 m deep. The volcano consists of Lake filled Asososca maar, Cerro Asososca cone and Lake Managua. The last eruption in 1954 lasted for 3 days.
Las Pilas volcanic complex includes a cluster of cones, of which Las Pilas (El Hoyo), in the center background, is the largest. A N-S fracture system cutting across the cone has produced numerous well-preserved flank vents, including maars. The only certain historical eruptions of Las Pilas took place in the 1950s from a fissure that cut across the summit east of the 700-m-wide summit crater.
Originally posted 2010-08-25 03:50:37.
