San Salvador volcano is one of many volcanoes along the volcanic arc in El Salvador. This volcano, having a volume of about 110 cubic kilometers, towers above San Salvador, the country's capital and largest city. The city has a population of approximately 2 million, and a population density of about 2,100 people per square kilometer. The city of San Salvador and other communities have gradually encroached onto the lower flanks of the volcano, increasing the risk that even small events may have serious societal consequences. San Salvador volcano has not erupted for more than 80 years, but it has a long history of repeated, and sometimes violent, eruptions. -- From: Major, et.al., 2001 |