Telica is a stratovolcano located in Nicaragua at an elevation of 1,036 meters, situated within a subduction zone and continental crust setting greater than 25 kilometers thick. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a documented history of 48 confirmed eruptions spanning nearly five centuries, with the earliest recorded eruption beginning in 1527 CE and subsequent activity extending through 2025 CE.
Overview of Recorded Eruptions
The historical record for Telica encompasses 48 confirmed eruptions, characterized by varying scales of explosivity as measured by the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). Out of these events, 47 have associated VEI observations. The largest recorded eruption reached a VEI of 4.0, which occurred during a confirmed eruption starting in 1529 CE. Conversely, other historical periods involved lower-intensity events, such as a VEI 0 eruption spanning from May 16, 1975, to March 16, 1976, and a VEI 1 eruption that began on July 14, 2025, and ended on August 18, 2025.
Temporal Distribution of Activity
Volcanic activity at Telica is distributed unevenly across centuries, with a significant concentration of recorded events occurring in recent modern history. Historical reporting indicates sparse early documentation followed by dense reporting periods in the 20th and 21st centuries:
- 16th Century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions (including the 1527 CE event with a doubtful start year modifier and the 1529 CE VEI 4 event)
- 17th Century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 18th Century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
- 20th Century CE: 25 confirmed eruptions (such as an event spanning January 16, 1939, to June 16, 1939, rated VEI 2)
- 21st Century CE: 17 confirmed eruptions (including the 2025 CE activity)
Profile records indicate that the last known eruption year for the volcano is 2025, with the latest structured eruption period recorded between July 14, 2025, and August 18, 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Telica located?
Telica is a stratovolcano located in Nicaragua.
How many eruptions has Telica had?
Telica has 48 confirmed eruptions recorded in the official database.
When did Telica's recorded eruption history begin?
The earliest recorded eruption in the official record began in 1527 CE.
What is the largest recorded eruption at Telica?
The largest recorded eruption reached a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4.0, occurring in 1529 CE.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.