🌋VolcanoAtlas

Concepción

The Twin Volcano of Ometepe Island

Elevation

1,700 m

Last Eruption

2024

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Nicaragua

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity2 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All Nicaragua Volcanoes
Explore by country
Stratovolcano Volcanoes
By volcano type
Rivas Department
Regional volcanoes

Other Volcanoes in Nicaragua

Interesting Facts

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Ometepe Island is the world's largest volcanic island within a freshwater lake.

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The name 'Ometepe' means 'two mountains' in Nahuatl.

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Frequent eruptions have measurably increased the summit height through cumulative tephra deposition.

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Concepción has erupted ~35 times since ~770 BCE, averaging one eruption every 4–5 years in the historical period.

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The ~770 BCE VEI 4 eruption was at least 10 times more powerful than any modern eruption at the volcano.

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Ometepe was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2010.

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Evacuating the island's ~30,000 residents would require ferry transport across Lake Nicaragua.

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Pre-Columbian petroglyphs indicate habitation dating back over 3,500 years.

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The upper slopes are kept bare by frequent fresh ash deposition.

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The summit crater is 250 m deep with an asymmetric rim.

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Lake Nicaragua covers 8,264 km² and hosts freshwater bull sharks.

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N-S fractures have produced chains of spatter cones and maars extending to the lake shore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Concepción volcano still active?
Concepción is an active stratovolcano on Ometepe Island that has erupted 35 times. Its most recent eruption was in May 2024 (VEI 2), and it has produced eruptions in nearly every decade since the 1880s. INETER maintains continuous surveillance. Fumarolic emissions and minor ash puffs are frequently observed. Future eruptions are virtually certain.
Can you hike Concepción?
Hiking to the summit is possible when activity permits. The round trip takes 8–10 hours, ascending ~1,500 m through tropical forest to barren upper slopes. Experienced local guides are required. Summit access may be restricted during volcanic activity. Carry adequate water and sun protection.
What is Ometepe Island?
Ometepe is a volcanic island in Lake Nicaragua formed by two volcanoes: active Concepción (1,700 m) and dormant Maderas (1,394 m), connected by a narrow isthmus. It's the world's largest volcanic island in a freshwater lake. About 30,000 people live there. It's a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a popular tourist destination.
How tall is Concepción?
Concepción stands at 1,700 m (5,577 ft) above sea level. Since Lake Nicaragua sits at ~32 m elevation, the volcano rises ~1,668 m above the lake. The summit elevation has been increasing due to cumulative ash deposition. The summit crater is approximately 250 m deep.
How do you get to Ometepe?
Ometepe is reached by ferry from San Jorge (near Rivas on the Pan-American Highway). Ferries run several times daily, crossing in 1–1.5 hours to Moyogalpa. San Jorge is ~100 km south of Managua.
What would happen if Concepción had a large eruption?
A VEI 4 event (like ~770 BCE) would endanger all 30,000 residents. Pyroclastic flows could reach coastal communities within minutes. Heavy ashfall would bury farmland. The greatest challenge would be evacuation by ferry. A flank collapse could generate a lake displacement wave.
Is it safe to live on Ometepe?
Ometepe has been inhabited for over 3,500 years. Modern eruptions (VEI 1–2) cause disruption but no recent fatalities. However, the VEI 4 event around 770 BCE shows capability for much larger events. Most residents accept the risk, balanced against fertile volcanic soils.