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Conchagua (volcano)

Coordinates: 13°16′30″N 87°50′42″W / 13.275°N 87.845°W / 13.275; -87.845
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Conchagua
Conchagua towers above sandy beaches along the Gulf of Fonseca at the SE tip of El Salvador.
Highest point
Elevation1,225 m (4,019 ft)
Coordinates13°16′30″N 87°50′42″W / 13.275°N 87.845°W / 13.275; -87.845
Geography
Conchagua is located in El Salvador
Conchagua
Conchagua
Location in El Salvador
LocationLa Unión Department, El Salvador
Geology
Mountain typeStratovolcano
Last 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]

Plans for Bitcoin City

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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]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Conchagua". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
  2. ^ "Conchagua". VOGRIPA.
  3. ^ "Crypto millionaires are pouring money into Central America to build their own cities". MIT Technology Review.
  4. ^ "El Salvador's President Unveils Golden 'Bitcoin City' Amid Brutal Crash". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  5. ^ "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.