The volcano doesn’t look like a normal conical volcano, but that’s because the volcano was originally about 3,000 meters high!
The volcano got about 1,000 meters shorter after a big eruption about 800 years ago. Can you guess what the volcano used to look like by filling in its current form? (Click on this link to see what the volcano looked like before the eruption 800 years ago.)
The soil in el Boquerón is really rich and full of nutrients. People who live here cultivate a wide variety of plants in this area for their own food and to sell. My friend and I decided to get a closer look at this wide variety of plants, walking down the crater without a guide, against the advice of some friends. On the way down, we ran into a few areas where you could only see bright green plants, coverings and trees. Otherwise, there were other parts that were quite dangerous to traverse. This was just a reminder of how humans are in a constant balance with nature.
I think it’s nice to see a piece of nature that was once dangerous and violent having turned into a calm, peaceful, green area that people can enjoy to get away from the bustle of life down the mountain. Hopefully the volcano remains dormant and doesn't erupt any time soon!
