Masaya Volcano National Park reveals two magma sources on 1 October

Masaya Volcano National Park near Masaya is at the centre of research published on 1 October after satellites indicated two magma sources below the caldera.

New research at Masaya Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya) in Nicaragua indicates two active magma sources beneath the caldera, with the findings announced on 1 October 2026. The result links a scientific development directly to one of Masaya's principal visitor sites, where the Santiago crater and its lava lake are part of the landscape.

Research at Masaya points to two magma sources

A Penn State research team used satellite measurements to examine how the ground around the volcano changed between 2018 and 2024. The caldera first subsided and then rose, a pattern the researchers interpreted as possible new magma entering the main reservoir.

At the same time, ground around the active Santiago crater continued to deflate. The separate movements suggest a deeper reservoir beneath the caldera and a second, shallower reservoir near the crater. The researchers published the findings in Geophysical Research Letters, and Penn State explains the research.

The team used Sentinel-1 satellite data and interferometric synthetic aperture radar, known as InSAR, to measure changes in the distance between the satellite and the ground. The method can monitor tropical volcanic terrain through cloud cover, allowing researchers to compare surface movement over several years.

What the magma finding means for the volcanic park

Masaya is a complex volcano with nested craters and calderas, the large depressions formed when volcanic chambers empty. The park lies near the city of Masaya in Nicaragua and about 22 kilometres south of Managua, according to the official park description.

The research matters to visitors because the measured changes relate to the same caldera that contains the Santiago crater and the principal volcanic viewpoints. In that sense, the 1 October 2026 announcement adds scientific context to a place experienced through craters, volcanic gases and changing ground conditions, rather than describing a separate laboratory site.

Masaya last produced a major lava flow in 1772, while persistent degassing can produce high concentrations of sulfur dioxide. The Penn State researchers said they found no immediate danger to the surrounding community on 1 October 2026, but they also stressed that continued monitoring can improve understanding of volcanic hazards.

Visiting Masaya Volcano National Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The research announcement was published on 1 October 2026 and concerns the volcanic caldera and Santiago crater within the park.
• The finding is a scientific announcement, not a closure notice; researchers reported no immediate danger to the surrounding community on 1 October 2026.
• The park is near Masaya in Nicaragua, in the department of Masaya and south of Managua. The official park site identifies the volcano as one of Nicaragua's active volcanoes.
• The terrain consists of a volcanic caldera, nested craters and areas affected by sulfur dioxide emissions. Conditions at a crater viewpoint can therefore differ from those at the entrance or on surrounding roads.
• Nicaragua's official language is Spanish and its national currency is the córdoba.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Masaya Volcano National Park

What was announced at Masaya Volcano National Park on 1 October 2026?

Penn State researchers announced evidence of two active magma sources beneath the volcano. The findings came from satellite measurements of ground movement between 2018 and 2024.

What did the research find near Santiago crater?

Ground near the active Santiago crater continued to deflate during the study period. This movement differed from the later uplift recorded in the main caldera.

Where is Masaya Volcano National Park and how do you get there?

The park is near Masaya in Nicaragua, south of Managua. Its official site places the volcano in the department of Masaya.