Volcano Journal Entry

Masaya Volcano Erupts in Nicaragua (April 24, 2001)

Nicaragua's Masaya volcano erupted with a shower of fiery rocks and ash this week. The eruption injured two people and touched off a forest fire on the volcano's slopes.

Pools of lava oozed from the volcano's Santiago crater. The eruption forced the closure of the national park that includes the volcano. Masaya is located about 13 miles (20 kilometers) southeast of the capital Managua.

Masaya is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. The volcano's massive explosion around 4,500 B.C. was one of the largest eruptions on Earth in the past 10,000 years. The volcano has erupted at least 19 times since it was first described by the Spanish in 1524. Its last major one was in December 1999.

There are many active volcanoes along the Central American Trench, where the Cocos plate subducts or dives under the Caribbean plate.