Darwin Vivas

Steve Jordi

This volcanic complex consists of two volcanoes: Masaya and Nindirí, and five craters; Masaya has one of its same name and San Fernando (dormant); Nindirí has two: Nindirí, and San Pedro, and the other one, Santiago, lies between the two volcanoes. Nindirí's last eruption was back in 1670 while Masaya's was in 1772. Both Santiago and Nindirí's San Pedro crater started forming in 1850, however, only Santiago is currently active as it constantly emits sulfur dioxide gas that can be seen from many miles away.

The Masaya Volcano is the country's shortest volcano (635 m) but it did record a huge eruption about 6,500 years ago. In fact, that eruption was so catastrofic that it's one of the top 10 largest eruptions in the past 10,000 years in the region. It was a category 5 eruption out of 8: 5 is described as "paroxysmal" while 8 is "megacolossal". Another Nicaraguan volcano made that list, Cosiguina, with the same category.

This volcano, also known as "Popogatepe" ("burning mountain", in Chorotega language), drew a lot of attention back in the pre-Columbian as well as the Colonial times. When it would erupt, the local indians believed it was a sign of anger from the gods. So, in order to stop the eruption, they'd sacrifice children.

The Spaniards called it "Boca del infierno" (mouth of hell) and really believed it was possessed. That's why they placed a wooden cross (Cruz de Bobadilla; named after Father Bobadilla) at the summit in order to exorcise the volcano.

>>> To learn about the national park, go to Volcán Masaya National Park in my new Protected Areas Section.

>>> OR CONTINUE SURFING AND CHECK OUT THE AMAZING MOMBACHO VOLCANO NATURAL RESERVE...