Tecuamburro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tecuamburro |
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Volcán Tecuamburro
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,845 m (6,053 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Tecuamburro
Location in Guatemala
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| Location | Santa Rosa, Guatemala |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 960 BCE ± 75 years |
Tecuamburro is an amazing stratovolcano located in southern Guatemala. It's about 50 kilometers (around 30 miles) southeast of Guatemala City. This volcano is famous for its unique shape and the interesting features found at its top.
Contents
What is Tecuamburro?
Tecuamburro is a type of volcano called a stratovolcano. This means it's shaped like a tall cone. It's built up over time by many layers of hardened lava, ash, and rocks from past eruptions. The lava from Tecuamburro is called andesitic, which is a type of lava that is thicker and stickier than some other kinds.
How Tecuamburro Formed
Tecuamburro started forming about 38,000 years ago. It grew inside a special horseshoe-shaped area. This area is called a caldera. A caldera is a large, bowl-shaped hollow that forms when the ground collapses after a big volcanic eruption. Tecuamburro's caldera was created by an older, much larger stratovolcano named Miraflores, which was active about 100,000 years ago.
Inside the Crater
At the very top of Tecuamburro, there's a special lake. It's an acidic crater lake, meaning its water is quite sour or acidic. All around this lake, you can find many cool natural features. There are hot springs where warm water bubbles up from underground. You can also see fumaroles, which are vents that release steam and gases from inside the Earth. And don't forget the boiling mudpots! These are pools of hot, bubbling mud, which are super interesting to see.
When Did Tecuamburro Last Erupt?
The last time Tecuamburro erupted was a very long time ago. Scientists believe it happened around 960 BCE, give or take about 75 years. That's over 2,900 years ago! Even though it hasn't erupted recently, the hot springs, fumaroles, and mudpots show that there's still a lot of heat and activity deep inside the volcano.
See also
- List of volcanoes in Guatemala
In Spanish: Volcán Tecuamburro para niños
