Week 4: Volcanic History in Panama

Week 4: Volcanoes

In Panama, there are a total of four volcanoes which isn't as many compared to other countries. Two of these volcanoes are Holocene while the other two are considered as Pleistocene volcanoes. Going more into detail, Holocene volcanoes are volcanoes that were active in the past 11,700 years while Pleistocene volcanoes are volcanoes that were active from 11,700 to 2.5 million years ago. The Tisingal and La Yeguada volcanoes are the two Pleistocene volcanoes that are located in Panama which aren't active. However, the Baru and El Valle volcanoes are the two Holocene volcanoes that are located in Panama which are active.

Global Volcanism Program | El Valle

The El Valle volcano is considered to be a still active volcano, but there hasn't been any recorded evidence of when it last erupted. However, the Baru volcano is the youngest major volcano located in Panama and the most recently active which it last erupted around 500 years ago in 1550. In 770 AD, the Baru volcano largely erupted which destroyed settlements that resided around the volcano. Researchers claim this volcano will erupt again in the future given the history and will be the same as the other eruptions, meaning it will be explosive and dangerous to the people living on the sides of the volcano. These volcanoes have been a tourist spot for people visiting the country to see the history of eruptions from 500 to many years ago.

Global Volcanism Program | Barú

References:

“Global Volcanism Program: Panama Volcanoes.” Smithsonian Institution | Global Volcanism Program, volcano.si.edu/volcanolist_countries.cfm?country=Panama. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023. 

“Volcán Barú: Eruptive History and Volcano-Hazards Assessment.” Volcan Baru: Eruptive History and Volcano-Hazards Assessment, pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1401/#:~:text=The%20volcano%20has%20had%20four,of%20a%20restless%20tectonic%20terrane. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023. 

“Volcanoes of Panamá Information.” VolcanoDiscovery, www.volcanodiscovery.com/panama.html. Accessed 22 Sept. 2023. 

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