Conchagua (volcano)

Stratovolcanoes in eastern El Salvador

Conchagua

Location in El Salvador

LocationLa Unión Department, El SalvadorGeologyMountain typeStratovolcanoLast eruptionUnknown

Conchagua (also known as Cochague) consists of two overlapping stratovolcanoes in a single conical edifice. It is located in southeastern El Salvador overlooking the Gulf of Fonseca. Cerro de La Banderas, at 1133 m, appears younger but is dated at 0.41 ± 0.1 Ma. To the west-southwest is the Cerro del Ocotal at 1225 m and dated at 0.15 ± 0.02 Ma. There are active fumarolic areas on both peaks but no recorded history of eruptions.^[1]^[2]

It is surrounded by forest called Bosque Conchagua. Conchagua, in Native American indigenous Salvadoran Lenca language, means (Flying Jaguar). According to historians, the volcano was settled by the Lenca civilization, who worshipped the goddess Comizahual, an indigenous Jaguar Princess. Lenca legends say that Conchagua was Comizahual's favorite volcano, and upon her death she was taken on top on Conchagua where her body turned into many golden Chiltota birds.^{[citation needed]} At the summit is a retreat called El Espíritu de la Montaña, which means Mountain Spirit.^[3]

On top of Conchagua on a lookout called (Mirador Espiritu de la Montana), which overlooks the Gulf of Fonseca

Plans for Bitcoin City

The volcano was selected as the site for the planned "Bitcoin City", a smart city project that will use the energy from the volcano to power its infrastructure, as well as the mining of cryptocurrencies. The project was announced by President Nayib Bukele in November 2021.^[4]^[5]

References

^ "Conchagua". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
^ "Conchagua". VOGRIPA.
^ "Crypto millionaires are pouring money into Central America to build their own cities". MIT Technology Review.
^ "El Salvador's President Unveils Golden 'Bitcoin City' Amid Brutal Crash". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
^ "El Salvador Bitcoin City Planned at Base of Conchagua Volcano". BBC News. 21 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.

Rapprich V, Erban V, Fárová K, Kopačková V, Bellon H, Hernández W (2010). "Volcanic history of the Conchagua Peninsula (eastern El Salvador)" (PDF). Journal of Geosciences. 55 (2): 95–112. doi:10.3190/jgeosci.069.

Central American volcanoes

Guatemala