Volcán Barú
| Barú | |
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| File:Volcan baru.jpg
Volcán Barú and the mountain city of Boquete
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). |
| Listing | Country high point |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Geography | |
 Barú
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| Parent range | Talamanca Range |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1550 ± 10 years |
The Volcán Barú (also Volcán de Chiriqui[1]) is an active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in Panama, at 3,474 metres (11,398 ft) high. It lies about 35 km off the border of Costa Rica.
Due to its height and Panama's relatively short width, it is possible (though relatively rare) to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from Volcán Barú's peak on a clear day.
Contents
Geography
The small town of El Volcan at the base of El Baru sits on the remnants of a huge lahar that appears to have breached the caldera. A small river has eroded the lahar exposing an ancient forest below dated to about 1000 years old (Stewart, pers. communication).
Volcán Barú is surrounded by a fertile area of cool highlands drained by the Chiriquí Viejo and Caldera Rivers. The towns of Volcán and Cerro Punta can be found on its western side, while Boquete is on the eastern flank.
The occasional fall of hail or ice pellets has been reported on the summit, where the minimum temperature can be below 0 °C (32 °F) and the formation of frost is frequent during the dry season. The peak is host to a large installation of broadcast towers.
Description
De Boer et al.[2] were the first to show that El Baru volcano is active and part of the extension of the Central American Volcanic Arc in Panama. Further detailed work on the geochemistry of the lavas from El Baru and other volcanoes in Panama was completed by Defant et al.[3] They substantiated, based on geochemistry, that the lavas were derived by subduction (calc-alkaline). Radiometric dates also showed that the volcanism falls into two groups that range from 20 million years to recent. They also showed that the youngest volcanism consists primarily of adakites (partial melts from the subducted slab) whereas the older volcanism is normal calc-alkaline lavas.
USGS Volcano-Hazards Assessment Study
In 2006, a earthquake swarm was registered in Volcán Barú area. It wasn't the first one; researchers cite at least other 3 seismic events of the same nature recorded in the recent past (1930, 1965, 1985).[4]
In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in coooperation with Panama's Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat (SENACYT) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), published a study on different aspects of Volcán Barú.[4] The 33-page report outlined potential hazard areas, rock composition, and areas affected by previous eruptions; there is evidence that during the last eruption, occurred in the 16th century, the debris avalanche deposits covered a volume of 20-30 km³, reaching as far as the Pacific Ocean (the largest documented in Central America and nearly 10 times the area covered by Mt. St. Helens' debris avalanche in 1980).[4]
Data collected on several locations from four previous eruptions, which occurred during the last 1600 years, point out that a new eruption would last several years, putting at risk population and costly infrastructure in the areas surrounding the volcano; typical events during such volcanic episode include pyroclastic flows, super heated gas clouds rapidly descending the volcano’s east flank, conceivably reaching as far as Boquete, Alto Boquete, and the Caldera River. Ash and other particles fallout, ranging in size from dust to 1-meter blocks, known as tephra causing fires, roof collapses, water contamination, crop damage and eye and lung irritation, especially among elders and infants. A third type of event, mud and debris flows, known as lahars, create landslides, obstruct rivers courses, and could have long-term effects in the zone. The severity of these events is directly related to the lava flows and its interaction with underground water deposits.[4]
A comprehensive set of maps is included with the study, clearly showing the most likely affected areas in Boquete, Volcán, Bambito and other towns in vicinity of the Volcán Barú.[4] The study recommends local authorities should make the population aware of the potential risks, and create a response system in preparation for the eventual onset of an eruptive episode.[4]
National park
The volcano was declared Volcán Barú National Park in 1976, with an area of 14,325 ha (35,400 acres). It is a part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. Fauna include the black guan, black-and-white hawk-eagle, Underwood's water mouse, volcano junco, wrenthrush, and yellow-thighed finch.[5] Over 250 species of birds have been identified within the park, and all five species of big cats live here as well. The national park protects a range of habitat, including humid montane forests, low humid montane forests, and montane rainforests.[6]
The park's most popular hiking trail is the Sendero Los Quetzales (Los Quetzales Trail), which connects Boquete with Cerro Punta and wraps around the side of the volcano. The trail takes around 6 hours to hike. There is another trail to the top of the volcano, but this is long, steep and strenuous. You can, however, see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from the summit on a clear day.
Gallery
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Volcán Barú morning view.jpg
Volcán Barú on a clear morning; the heart-like shape at the upper right slope is a cattle farm exploitation.
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VolcanBaru 0354.jpg
Volcán Barú Summit.
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Caribbean view visible from the summit of Volcan Baru.jpg
The Caribbean Sea, visible from the summit of Volcán Barú. Taken early in the morning, as clouds usually obstruct the view.
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Buildings on Volcan Baru overlooking the city of David at night..jpg
View from the summit of Volcán Barú. This photo shows the antenna and support buildings. Visible in the background are the lights of city of David, Chiriquí.
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Telephoto shot of Volcan Baru as seen from the town of Volcan.jpg
Taken in front of the Cerro Brujo Cafe, you can just make out the cross on the summit of Volcán Barú.
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Shot a few miles away from the Pacific Coast of Panamá, this shows a partially cloudy Volcán Barú.
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Volcán Barú at sunset; seen from Boquete, Chiriquí.jpg
Volcán Barú at sunset, as seen from Boquete, Chiriquí.
See also
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ de Boer, J., Defant, M.J., Stewart R. H., Restrepo, J. F., Clark, L. F., and Ramierez A. H., 1988, Quaternary calc-alkaline volcanism in western Panama: Regional variation and implication for the plate tectonic framework: J. South American Earth Sciences, v. 1, p. 275-293.
- ↑ Defant, M. J., Jackson, T. E., Drummond, M. S., de Boer, J. Z., Bellon, H., Feigenson, M. D., Maury, R. C., and Stewart, R.H., 1992, The geochemistry of young volcanism throughout western Panama and southeastern Costa Rica: An overview: J. Geol. Soc. Lond., v. 149, p. 569-579.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barú volcano. |
