Conchagua | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 1,225 m (4,019 ft) |
Coordinates | 13°16′30″N 87°50′42″W / 13.275°N 87.845°W |
Geography | |
Location | La Unión Department, El Salvador |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
Last eruption | Unknown |
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]