Volcán Barú

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Barú
Volcán Barú and the mountain city of Boquete
Elevation	3,474 m (11,398 ft)
Location	Panama
Range	Talamanca Range
Coordinates	8.808° N 82.543° W
Type	Stratovolcano
Last eruption	1550 ± 10 years

The Volcán Barú (also Volcán de Chiriqui) is the tallest mountain in Panama and is 3,474 metres (11,398 ft) high.

A dormant volcano but potentially active (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1401) just south of the Continental Divide in the western Chiriquí Province, it is surrounded by a fertile area of cool highlands drained by the Chiriquí and Caldera rivers. The towns of Volcan and Cerro Punta can be found on its western side, while Boquete is on the eastern flank.

The last major eruption of the volcano was about 500 AD. There are reports and some evidence of a minor eruption around 1550 AD. However, in 2006, an earthquake swarm occurred underneath the mountain, raising fears that it could erupt sometime in the future with explosive force (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1401); the volcano has collapsed in the past.

Due to its height and Panama's relatively short width, it is possible to see both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea from Volcán Barú's peak on a clear day.

The occasional fall of snow has been reported on the summit, where the minimal temperature can be below 0ºC (32ºF) and the formation of frost is frequent during the dry season.