Telica (Spanish:Volcán Telica)[1] is a stratovolcano, one of several volcanoes of the Nicaraguan volcanic front. It is located in Telicamunicipality, in the LeóndepartmentofNicaragua.[2] One of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes, Telica has erupted frequently, and ash from those frequent eruptions keeps the slopes of its cone bare of vegetation.[3]
Telica has six cones, the tallest of which is 1036 meters high. There is a double crater at the top, 700 meters wide and 120 meters deep.[2] Telica has erupted frequently since the Spanish Era.[2] The last eruption was on July 29, 2020.[4] Telica's largest recorded eruption, in 1529, had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4.[5]
Telica became active in August 1999. An eruption produced ash-fall, and on 18 August a lava lake was observed in the summit crater. The ash eruptions continued until February 2000 and declined afterwards.[6] From 9 January to February 2007, small ash eruptions produced ash clouds reaching altitudes of 4900 ft (1.5 km).[7]
In the afternoon of 7 May 2015, Telica increased its volcanic activity, with explosions and low-intensity earthquakes. These explosions produced gas emissions and volcanic ash. On the night of 10 May, an explosive eruption occurred, dusting nearby towns with ash.[8] The volcano registered numerous small eruptions over the succeeding months, including one which caused ash fall in León on September 23. No major damage or injuries were reported.[9]
The general proximity to the city of León makes Telica a popular tourist attraction.[10] Most hikes enter through the small town of San Jacinto, known for its bubbling mud pits and small geothermal electric generation plant.[citation needed]
