Volcán Barú
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Barú | |
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 3,474 m (11,398 ft)[1][2] |
Prominence | 1,354 m (4,442 ft) |
Parent peak | Cerro Kamuk |
Isolation | 73.9 km (45.9 mi) |
Listing | |
Coordinates | 8°48′31.72″N 82°32′32.42″W / 8.8088111°N 82.5423389°W |
Geography | |
Country | Talamanca Range |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
Last eruption | 1550 ± 10 years[1] |
The Volcán Barú (also Volcán de Chiriquí[1]) is an active stratovolcano and the tallest mountain in Panama, at 3,474 metres (11,398 ft) high. It lies about 35 km (22 mi) off the border of Costa Rica. It is also the twelfth highest peak in Central America.[3]
Due to its height and the narrowness of the isthmus of Panama, it is possible (though relatively rare) to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from Volcán Barú's peak on a clear day.[citation needed]
Geography
The small town of Volcán at the base of Volcán Barú 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.[citation needed]
Volcán Barú is surrounded by a fertile area of cool
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.[4] were the first to show that El Barú 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 Barú and other volcanoes in Panama was completed by Defant et al.[5] 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, an earthquake swarm was registered in the Volcán Barú area. This was not the first one; researchers cite at least three other seismic events of the same nature recorded in the recent past (1930, 1965, 1985).[6]
In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey (
Data collected at several locations from four previous eruptions which occurred during the last 1600 years indicate 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 episodes include
A comprehensive set of maps is included with the study, clearly showing the most likely affected areas in
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 brushfinch.[7] 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.[8]
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. Both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea can be seen from the summit on a clear day.
Gallery
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Volcán Barú on a clear morning; the heart-like shape at the upper right slope is a cattle farm exploitation.
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Volcán Barú Summit.
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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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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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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, as seen from Boquete, Chiriquí.
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Barú". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- ^ "Topographic map of Barú". opentopomap.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
- ^ Jennings, Ken. "Where to See the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans—At The Same Time". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
- .
- .
- ^ a b c d e f Sherrod, D.R.; Vallance, J.W.; Tapia Espinosa, A.; McGeehin, J.P. (2008). Volcan Barú; eruptive history and volcano-hazards assessment: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1401, 33 (PDF). pp. 1 plate 1.
- ^ "Volcan Baru/ Panamá". Osatravel. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- ^ "Baru Volcano National Park".