Astronauts Capture Bizarre 'Googly Eyes' in Nicaragua

An eye-catching photograph taken from space reveals two volcanic lakes seemingly gazing into the cosmos from a peninsula in Nicaragua, resembling a pair of quirky heterochromatic googly eyes. This fascinating optical phenomenon remains hidden from the view of those on the ground.

The Skulled Head: Chiltepe Peninsula

Imagine these lakes as eyes, with the Chiltepe Peninsula as their head—a prominent land form extending into Lake Managua. Locally referred to as Lago Xolotlán, this expansive body of water sprawls across approximately 400 square miles (1,040 square kilometers) in Central America.

Volcanic Origins and Recent Activity

Located about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Managua, Chiltepe was birthed from a series of pyroclastic eruptions, unleashing low-density materials like pumice from beneath the surface. Although these explosive events waned 17,000 years ago, the area has seen volcanic activity within the last 2,000 years.

Dueling Lakes: Apoyeque and Laguna Xiloa

The smaller lake on the left, approximately 1.1 miles (1.7 km) wide, resides within the Apoyeque caldera. Its companion, the striking Laguna Xiloa, spans roughly 1.5 miles (2.4 km) at its widest. Laguna Xiloa was born from a volcanic eruption when magma met groundwater.

A Tale of Two Heights and Colors

From a space perspective, the lakes sit side by side, yet they reveal significant elevation differences—Apoyeque is about 1,300 feet (400 m) up, while Laguna Xiloa rests near sea level, making a simultaneous view of both impossible without standing at Apoyeque’s crater rim. Their colors add to the illusion; Laguna Xiloa boasts a deep blue hue, while Apoyeque casts a greenish tint, embodying the rare condition of heterochromia, where two eyes display different colors.

Volcanic Activity: A Cautionary Note

Both lakes sit atop active volcanoes, but an eruption is not anticipated in the near future. According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, Laguna Xiloa last erupted around 6,000 years ago, while Apoyeque has erupted four times since, the last major blast occurring around 50 B.C., which shaped its current crater.

Monitoring Activity: Seismic Movements

A series of minor earthquakes surfaced beneath Apoyeque in 2012, caused by shifting magma. Thankfully, experts assure that these tremors do not indicate an impending eruption.

Potential Impact of Eruptions on Local Communities

Should Apoyeque erupt again, the effects could ripple through densely populated areas like Managua and the neighboring town of Bosques de Xiloa, which hugs the shores of Laguna Xiloa. Such a scenario serves as a reminder of the dramatic forces at play beneath this beautiful landscape.