Powerful Phreatic Eruption of Santa Teresa Ausol

**kellyhound** · #1 ● 07-11-2025, 04:28 PM

A powerful phreatic eruption occurred at the Santa Teresa ausol, part of the Los Ausoles geothermal field in Ahuachapán, El Salvador on July 10, 2025.

The eruption ejected a column of boiling water, steam, and sediment, blocking an access road and damaging surrounding infrastructure. No injuries were reported.

The event was captured on CCTV footage, showing a sudden vertical and lateral ejection of steam, water, and sediment from the thermal vent.

The Santa Teresa ausol, located within the Los Ausoles geothermal area, is the largest thermal feature of its kind in Central America.

It has a diameter of approximately 70 m (230 feet) and a depth of 20 m (66 feet), with recorded vent temperatures from 300°C–350°C (572°F–662°F).

The Los Ausoles geothermal field covers roughly 20 km² (7.7 mi2) and contains over 130 active geothermal features including mud pots, fumaroles, and steam vents.

Yesterday’s explosion deposited volcanic mud and debris onto a road that connects to a popular hot spring facility, prompting authorities to temporarily close access.

Civil Protection units and firefighters responded, assessed hazards, and established a 75 m (246 feet) exclusion zone around the site. Seventeen residents were evacuated as a precaution.

There were no immediate reports of injuries. However, minor structural damage to tourist facilities and access routes was reported by municipal sources.