Photo gallery: Exploring the volcanoes of Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a geological hotspot — 19 volcanoes are strung across its west coast. Some produce apocalyptic acid rain, a few harbour orchids that bloom for a single day, others have churning lava lakes. But all have played a part in shaping the country.
Published 8 Aug 2019, 11:02 BST
Foot of Cerro Negro.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyA treeless black dome in a wide valley, Cerro Negro looks menacing.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyThe volcano is climbed daily.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyReaching the summit.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyCerro Negro first appeared in 1850, emerging from the ground over six weeks of seismic and volcanic activity.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyEvery step carries up fine dust that's immediately carried away by the wind.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyCerro negro is also home to sandboarding, one of Central America's most famous adventure pursuits.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertySandboarders prepare to take the express way down.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyEven for those without a board, it's possible to slide down the black-sand slopes of Cerro Negro.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyCerro Negro announces its eruptions with a series of earthquakes before it blows.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyModeras volcano and Concepción volcano form Omepete, an island in the heart of Lake Nicaragua.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyConcepción, Ometepe Island.
White-throated magpie-jay, a common sight in Nicaragua.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyHeavy rainfall across the Puma Trail helps to support a vast array of flora.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyThe mossy Puma Trail is near the summit of Mombacho, an active volcano.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyTogether, Moderas volcano and Concepción volcano look like the figure eight, an astonishing prehistoric centrepiece.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyTourists watch the sunset on the dark shores of Ometepe Island.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyClouds gently rotate around the peak.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyThe verdant slopes of Mombacho.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyFlowers on Ometepe Island.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyOmetepe Island.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyThe fiery heart of the Masaya is visible almost every night.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyThe Masaya is almost halfway between one of Nicaragua's former capitals, Granada, and the incumbent, Managua.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyThe fumes aren't too pungent, but they irritate the eyes and throat as they dance up the cliffs.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyLaguna de Apoyo.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyGranada.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyCathedral of Granada.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyGranada rests on the shore of Lake Nicaragua.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyIn 1610, when it was the colonial capital of Nicaragua, León was destroyed when nearby Momotombo erupted.
Photograph by Jamie LaffertyThe modern incarnation of León sits 18 miles to the west of its original site.
Photograph by Jamie Lafferty