| Barú | |
|---|---|
Volcán Barú and the mountain city of Boquete |
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| Elevation | 3,474 m (11,398 ft) |
| Listing | Country high point |
| Location | |
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Barú
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| Range | Talamanca Range |
| Geology | |
| Type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1550 ± 10 years |
The Volcán Barú (also Volcán de Chiriqui[1]) is the tallest mountain in Panama and is 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 to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from Volcán Barú's peak on a clear day.
Contents |
Volcán Barú is a dormant, but potentially active volcano just south of the Continental Divide in the western Chiriquí Province.[2] It is surrounded by a fertile area of cool highlands drained by the Chiriquí and Caldera rivers. The towns of Volcan 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 minimal temperature can be below 0°C (32°F) and the formation of frost is frequent during the dry season.
The last major eruption of the volcano was about 500 AD. There are reports and some evidence of a minor eruption around 1550 AD. However, in 2006, an earthquake swarm occurred underneath the mountain, raising fears that it could erupt sometime in the future with explosive force.