San Salvador Volcano, Stratovolcano in El Boquerón National Park, El Salvador
San Salvador Volcano is a stratovolcano in El Boquerón National Park with a triangular summit reaching 1,893 meters (6,210 feet) above sea level. The volcano features a prominent crater measuring roughly 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) across and sinking about 500 meters (1,640 feet) deep.
This stratovolcano formed between 700 and 1,000 years ago from andesite lava flows. The most recent major eruption took place in 1917, which produced a new cinder cone called Boqueroncito.
The volcano shapes local traditions, including an annual festival in Nejapa that commemorates when residents had to relocate following past eruptions. The community's identity remains closely tied to this natural landmark.
The volcano is accessible through maintained hiking trails in El Boquerón National Park, open for daytime visits throughout the year. Plan to arrive early in the day to take advantage of cooler temperatures and clearer views.
Local farmers cultivate crops within the upper walls of the volcanic crater, taking advantage of the mineral-rich soil there. This agricultural practice in the heart of an active volcanic zone is something few visitors expect to encounter.
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