A Lake of Gold: Investigations of Masaya Volcano in Early Colonial Nicaragua

Abstract The churning lava lake of Masaya Volcano in western Nicaragua presented the Spanish colonists with a quandary upon their arrival in 1522. Uncertain whether Masaya was the entrance to hell or an extraordinary wonder, the Spanish colonists monitored the volcano and pondered over the possibility that it contained gold. Their curiosity culminated in a monumental endeavor to extract the molten liquid and control the fires. The extraction efforts proved fruitless, but the endeavor led the colonists to collect observations and create theories about the volcano's behaviors. Using their eyewitness accounts, chronicles, and correspondence, this essay highlights how these colonists interacted with Masaya. It argues that their efforts incorporated Masaya Volcano into the Spanish colonial project as a place for resource extraction, religious conversion, and knowledge production. Their story demonstrates the crucial role of scientific inquiry in supporting colonists seeking wealth on the fringes of the Spanish Empire.