Volcán Tajumulco

Volcán Tajumulco
Highest point
Elevation

4,220 m (13,850 ft)

Prominence

3,980 m (13,060 ft)

Isolation 722 kilometres (449 mi)
Listing
Coordinates 15°02′37″N 91°54′12″W / 15.043685°N 91.903308°W / 15.043685; -91.903308Coordinates: 15°02′37″N 91°54′12″W / 15.043685°N 91.903308°W / 15.043685; -91.903308
Geography
Volcán Tajumulco

Guatemala

Location San Marcos, Guatemala
Parent range Sierra Madre
Geology
Mountain type Stratovolcano
Volcanic arc/belt Central America Volcanic Arc
Last eruption Unknown

Volcán Tajumulco is a large stratovolcano in the department of San Marcos in western Guatemala. It is the highest mountain in Central America at 4,220 metres (13,845 ft).[1] Although Tajumulco has had several historical reports of volcanic eruptions, none has been confirmed to be a true eruption.[2]

Volcán Tajumulco was declared a protected area in 1956. Trips up the mountain can be arranged by various groups in the city of Quetzaltenango. Typically groups will begin the climb early on the first day and camp at a site approximately 150 meters below the summit. This allows for acclimatization to the high altitude. The following morning the hikers can summit without packs. Views are variable, the peak is frequently engulfed in clouds and conditions are extremely windy.

South side from a helicopter

See also

Notes

  1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. INSIVUMEH.
  2. Global Volcanism Program.

References

  • Encyclopædia Britannica Online. "Tajumulco Volcano.". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
  • INSIVUMEH. "Volcanes de Guatemala" (in Spanish). Guatemala City: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorologíá e Hidrologíá (INSIVUMEH) - Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y Vivienda. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
  • Global Volcanism Program. "Tajumulco". Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2011-01-14. 
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