Lake Ilopango

The Ilopango lake ( Lago de Ilopango, also called Lago de Apulo ) is a crater lake in El Salvador.

Location

The Ilopango Lake is located about 12 kilometers east of the capital San Salvador at about 440 meters above sea level. inst; it borders the departments of San Salvador in the west, La Paz and Cuscatlan in the south in the east.

Formation

The to - and endorheic lake was probably built after the last major eruption of Ilopango volcano in the 3rd to 6th century AD, in which the Mayan city of Joya de Ceren of rock and ash layers ( tephra ) was spilled. In the caldera created at that time, the 72 square kilometers and up to 230 meters deep Lago de Ilopango formed, the water level is regulated only by rainwater.

In the years 1879/80 and it was a volcanic lava dome - the little island of Islas Quemadas - with a height of approximately 46 meters and a diameter of 152 meters. In 1928, the water rose again and destroyed many houses along the lake shore.

Economy

The abundance of fish the lake for centuries serves the surrounding villages as a protein- rich food source. End of the 20th century tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) were exposed, possibly native cichlids ( Cichlidae ) will displace. The western coast of the lake and the city Asino Ilopango are popular destinations for day trippers from the capital, which has led to an ever -increasing water pollution.

Pictures

Lago de Ilopango

Lago de Ilopango

Lago de Ilopango (from the Panamericana from )