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Home , Acotango, Alitar, Antuco (volcano), Apagado, Calbuco (volcano), Callaqui

Land of the living Mountains

A geo-referenced visual guide to 69 Chilean volcanoes Nevados de , volcán Taapacá. 18.08ºS 69.43ºW Nevados de , vn. . 18.17ºS 69.15ºW

The Parinacota is the southernmost and youngest eruptive activity has subsequently reconstruct- of a pair forming the Nevados de Payachata (Ayamara: Two ed the Parinacota , which contains a pristine, sisters) volcanic group along the Chilean-Bolivian border. 300-m-wide summit crater and youthful flows on the The symmetrical, 6.348 m. Parinacota (Flamigo ) western flanks. Taapacá (5.861 m picture right) is part side and Nevados de Putre itself on the west. A lava flow from the youngest eruptive phase was Ar-Ar volcano forms a twin volcano with the dominantly Pleis- Although no historical eruptions are known from Pari- of the Nevados de Putre volcanic chain, which towers to the The town of Putre is built on top of debris-avalanche de- dated at about 38.000 years (Wörner et al., 2000). tocene, 6.222 m. volcano, which towers above a nacota, surface-exposure dates have been obtained NE over the northern Chilean of town of Putre. posits from Taapacá. The Nevados de Putre volcanic center to the WSW also low saddle to the NE. for eruptions during the past two thousand years, both from The elongated volcanic massif consists of a dacitic lava- Taapacá was considered to be of probable Holocene age displays vigorous hot springs and solfataras. Collapse of Parinacota less than 8.000 years ago produced the main cone and the Ajata group of cones and complex. It overlies deposits and contains hot springs and deposits that were mined a 6 cu km debris avalanche that traveled 22 km. to the west flows on the south and SW flanks. and trends roughly E-W, with Taapacá located on the eastern from 1933 to 1956 (González-Ferrán, 1974, 1995). and blocked drainages, forming Lake Chungará. Nevados de . 18.37°S 69.05°W Volcán (active). 18.72ºS 69.14ºW

Volcán , along with Volcán Humarata to the Cerro Capurata straddle the - boundary along lava flow on its northern flank suggests Holocene activity One of northern Chile’s most active volcanoes, Guallatiri complex, with the active vent situated at its southern side. Intense fumarolic activity with “jet-like” noises continues, north and Cerro Capurata to the south, comprises the Ne- a roughly N-S line. (de Silva and Francis 1991). Humarata, with a summit crater is a symmetrical -clad stratovolcano at the SW end of the Thick lava flows are prominent on the lower northern and and numerous solfataras extend more than 300 m down the vados de Quimsachata volcanic group. The 6.052-m-high Acotango stratovolcano is the central breached to the ESE, and Capurata, a complex of lava domes Nevados de Quimsachata volcano group. western flanks of the andesitic-to-rhyolitic volcano. west flank. Quimsachata means Three in the Andean , and highest of the three stratovolcanoes. It is in a fairly ad- and associated pyroclastic-flow deposits, may also have been The 6.071-m-high Guallatiri lies just west of the border Minor explosive eruptions have been reported from Gual- and 5.730-m-high Humarata, Acotango, and 5.990-m-high vanced stage of dissection, but a morphologically youthful active during the Holocene. with Bolivia and is capped by a central dacitic dome or lava latiri since the beginning of the 19th. century. Cerro . 21.08ºS 68.25ºW Cerro del León, Cerro . 21.08ºS 68.25ºW

Cerro Paniri is a complex stratovolcano located about 30 The summit of 5.946-m-high Paniri contains three craters Cerro del León is a 5.760-m-high andesitic stratovolcano The massive Chao lava dome and flow is the world’s larg- 1991). The eruption of less than 1 cu km of dacitic pyroclastic km SE of San Pedro volcano and forms, together with Cerro separated by about 4 km, along a NW-SE trend. which lies immediately north of the Toconce composite vol- est of its type. The 14.5-km-long dacitic lava flow has dis- flows preceded the initial lava extrusion, which formed the de León and Cerro Toconce, part of the 65 km-long San Between Paniri and Cerro de León, 13.5 km to the SE, cano (5.435 m). González-Ferrán (1995) considered El León tal margins that are 350-400 m high and features dramatic 22 cu km compound main flow. Pedro- volcanic chain. lies the gigantic Chao lava dome. to be of Pleistocene-Holocene age. 30-m-high flow on its surface. Eruption of a small amount of rhyolitic airfall and growth This chain is characterized by extensive rhyodacitic-to- The age of andesitic-to-dacitic Paniri was considered to The volcano is flanked by two massive dacitic lava domes, The age of the flows was considered to be post-glacial of a cone was followed by effusion of the final 3 cu rhyolitic ignimbritic fields and voluminous domes of dacitic- be Pleistocene-Holocene (González-Ferrán, 1995). 2,6 cu km Chillahuita to the SE and 26 cu km Chao to the (Guest 1981, pers. comm.), but -Argon dates indicate km of lava. to-rhyolitic composition (de Silva, 1989). NW, in the saddle between Cerro del Leon and Paniri. only that it is less than 100,000 years old (de Silva and Francis, Volcán Linzor. 22.18ºS 67.95ºW El Volcán. 22.33°S 67.97°W

Volcán Linzor is a 5680-m-high stratovolcano along the This andesitic volcano was considered to be Pleistocene- Chile/Boliva border, located west of Laguna Colorada and Holocene age by González-Ferrán (1995). El Volcán (R) is one of several stratovolcanoes located upper part are andesitic-to-dacitic. El Volcán was considered north of the geothermal field. The volcano forms east of the vigorous Geisers del Tatio geothermal field. Lava by González-Ferrán (1995) to be of Pleistocene-Holocene part of the San Pedro-Lizor volcanic chain. flows at the base of the volcano are dacitic, while those at the age. La Hoyada de los Geyseres del Tatio geothermal field 22.33ºS 68.01ºW

A chain of dominantly -to-Pleistocene volcanoes Although no Holocene eruptions are known from El Tatio, extensive sinter terraces. Geothermal energy exploration was including Volcán Linzor, Cerro Deslinde, Cerro El Volcán, it was included in the Catalogue of Active Volcanoes of the first tried in the 1960’s, while recent efforts have met – after Cerros del Tatio, and Volcán Tatio is flanked on the west by World (Casertano, 1963) based on this geothermal activity. failed exploratory drilling – with fierce opposition from the a depression that contains some of the most dramatic ther- The 30 sq km geothermal field contains 85 and local population, mainly because el Tatio is one of the top mal features of the . solfataras, 62 hot springs, 40 , 5 mud volcanoes, and attractions of nearby . Volcán Tatio, cerros de Tatio. 22.43ºS 68.01ºW Cerros de (or Volcán Tocorpuri) is a 5.808-m The complex lies at the virtual centre of an intricate vol- The Chile-Bolivia border swings around the eastern rim of -high stratovolcano complex on the Chile-Bolivia border. canic chain that borders the high plain around the Machuca the 1,4-km-wide crater that truncates the summit of Cerros de Cerros de Tocorpuri. 22.43ºS 67.92ºW A youthful-looking rhyolitic lava dome, Cerro la Torta, lies humedal or and includes the Tatio geothermal field, Tocorpuri; the crater lies wholly within Chilean territory. at its western foot, in a depression between Tocorpuri and the Volcán Tatio, Volcán and the Saire Cabur volcanic The complex was considered by González-Ferrán (1995) northernmost Cerros de Tatio and Volcán Tatio. complex, among others. to be of Pleistocene-Holocene age. Cerro la Torta (Cake Hill). 22.44ºS 67.95ºW Volcán Putana (active). 22.57ºS 67.87ºW

Volcán Putana, also known as Jorgencal or Machuca, is part of a large, roughly N-S-trending volcanic complex that covers an area of 600 sq km. Vigorous fumarolic activity is visible at the 5890-m-high summit of Putana volcano from long distances, while its large solfarata (yellow) can be clearly seen in the inset image. The main edifice, which formed primarily by lava effusion, consists of accumulated postglacial dacitic lava domes and flows mantling an older pre- Holocene volcano. The circular, roughly 5 cu km Cerro la Torta was erupted -Argon dating indicates only that it is less than a The youngest basaltic lava flows are viscous and rarely extend from a central vent and is surrounded by a flat-topped sur- million years old. more than 3 km. face with wrinkled flow ridges. The flow terminates in steep, talus-covered margins about A major eruption of unspecified character was reported in the early 19th It has been considered to be of Holocene age due to its 150 m high. Lava extrusion was preceded by minor silicic century (Rudolph, 1955; Guest 1981, pers. comm.), although González-Ferrán youthful morphology, but its age is not known precisely and explosive eruptions. (1995) indicated that no historical eruptions had occurred. Valle Arcoiris (Rainbow Valley). 22.64ºS 68.24ºW

Although Rainbow Valley can not be found in any volcanic catalogue, according to certain locals it is a collapsed or chamber, which explains the presence of sometimes strangely shaped and multicoloured igneous rock formations that give the location its name. The colours are related with the types of magma present at the time of collapse, which go from (light coloured; white, beige, pink, purple) to intermediate (dark coloured; brown, orange), mavic and ultra-mavic (very dark coloured; coffee, green, grey, black). This location is, together with the petroglyphs at Hierbas Buenas, probably one of the best kept secrets of the San Pedro de Atacama touristic circuit. Saire Cabur volcanic complex. 22.72ºS 67.88ºW

This chain of andesitic-dacitic volcanoes along the Chile- Postglacial activity began south of the summit, but most In the main image FLTR: Ojos del Toro, Azufrera Saciel Bolivia border contains at least 10 postglacial centers and recently produced a pristine lava flow to the NW. and volcán Saire Cabur ( mountain). On the far right the stretches from volcano on the north to An active sulfur mine is located north of the volcano. Es- summit of volcán Lican Cabur (people’s mountain). volcano on the south. calante, slightly older than Sairecabur, has a crater lake at its In the inset the northern end of the complex, with, FLTR, Nomenclature reflecting local usage results in conflict- summit and youthful lava flows on its flanks, and other erup- , volcán Curiquinca and volcán Escalante, ing names applied to these features on Chilean and Bolivian tive centers have also produced Holocene lava flows. also El . topographic maps. Curinquinca, a volcano of Pleistocene-Holocene age lies The highest peak, Sairecabur, is located on the northern at the NE end of the complex and Cerro Colorado volcano margin of a 4.5-km-wide caldera. at the NW end. Volcanes and . 22.83ºS 67.88ºW volcanic complex. 22.88ºS 67.58ºW

The symmetrical Licancabur stratovolcano was construct- The shallow freshwater summit lake is 90 m by 70 m ed primarily during the Holocene and contains one of the wide. world’s highest in its 400-m-wide summit crater. Young blocky andesitic lava flows with prominent The Pleistocene Juriques volcano is located immediately extend up to 6 km down the NW-to-SW flanks; older flows The Cerros de Guayaques group of N-S-trending rhyo- There is some evidence for Holocene activity, and the lava flows, which traveled 3 km to the SW. There are no to the SE and is capped by a 1.5-km-wide summit crater. reach up to 12 km from the summit crater. dacitic lava domes straddles the Chile-Bolivia border. youngest domes appear to be north of the summit crater of records of historical activity from Guayaques. Archaeological ruins were found on the 5.916-m-high The most recent activity from Licancabur produced flank The 10-km-long chain is located immediately east of the the dome complex (de Silva and Francis, 1991). crater rim of Volcán Lincancabur. lava flows. Purico pyroclastic shield. A well-defined summit crater was the source of the largest Puricó volcanic complex. 23.00ºS 67.75ºW . 22.93ºS 67.78ºW

Cerro Negro, Cerro de Macón. 23.03ºS 67.84ºW

The Purico Complex consists of two ignimbrite sheets that The youngest lava domes, Cerro Chascón de Purico and Cerro type dome. The Chascón de Purico dacitic dome, rising were erupted about 1.3 million years ago, along with several Áspero are of Holocene age (de Silva and Francis, 1991). 1200 m above the ignimbrite shield, has a well-preserved stratovolcanoes and lava domes that define a postulated 10 x Both domes differ morphologically from many other flat- summit crater and lava flows that show no evidence of gla- 20 km ring fracture. topped silicic Andean volcanic domes and have 300-400 m cial modification. Cerro Toco volcano overlies the vent area of the Cajón high conical profiles. The dacitic-to-andesitic Macón stratovolcano of Holocene Ignimbrite. A sulfur mine on its SE flank was mined until Cerro Chascón was formed by a series of viscous lava age lies at the southern end of the complex; the the early 1990s. flows, whereas Cerro Aspero appears to be a single Pelean- at the SE end displays constant solfataric activity. Volcán . 23.25º S 67.72º W The Atacama volcanic chain

Laguna Verde is a 5464-m-high stratovolcano located west Laguna Verde volcano was considered to be of Pleistocene- to the north, producing a debris avalanche that dammed the Part of the chain of volcanoes, seen from Curiquica to Cerro – is a volcano or, at least, an ex- Note the emanating from the volcano at of volcano and is one of a cluster of young stratovol- Holocene age (González-Ferrán, 1995). Quebrada Portor, forming a lake. the high plain (± 3.000 m). Virtually every mountain in this pression of the geological events that are the product of the the centre of the image, which is just one visual benchmark canoes north and east of Lascar volcano. The andesitic volcano, rising 1200 m above its base, collapsed image – covering a 165-km stretch that runs from Volcán of the Nazca- under the . of an area that is marked by intense volcanic activity. Volcán Aguas Calientes 23.37ºS 67.68ºW Volcán Lascar (active). 23.37ºS 67.73ºW

Volcan Aguas Calientes (L) is a symmetrical cone with a lava flows on the lower flanks. However, the lava flows in The several short stubby lava flows rimming the summit and following the eruption of the Tumbres flow about circular basal plan -7 km in diameter, and appears to form the summit region and the well developed summit crater region appear to be the youngest activity from the volcano. 9000 years ago, activity shifted back to the eastern edifice, part of a short east-west volcanic chain, of which Lascar, to may have been formed by more recent, probably Holocene There have been no records of historic activity. where three overlapping craters were formed. the west, is the most active member. activity. Frequent small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been Short stubby lava flows in the summit region have resulted A shallow crater lake is present with the summit crater, Lascar (R) is the most active volcano of the northern Chil- recorded from Lascar in historical time since the mid-19th in steep slopes of 45° in the upper parts of the volcano. The and is apparently unfrozen. A large arcuate rampart to the ean Andes. The andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano contains six century, along with periodic larger eruptions that produced gentler slopes of the lower flanks of the volcano are mantled north-east of the volcano may be the margin of a débris flow overlapping summit craters. Prominent lava flows descend ashfall hundreds of kilometers away from the volcano. by fine grained detritus, partly erosional material resulting deposit which resulted from failure of the north-eastern part its NW flanks. The largest historical eruption of Lascar took place in 1993 from freeze-thaw action and partly ash from Lascar. of the ancestral volcano. Lascar consists of two major edifices; activity began at the produced pyroclastic flows that extended up to 8.5 km NW Much of the history of Aguas Calientes is pre-Holocene, In this case Aguas Calientes would have to be re-classified eastern volcano and then shifted to the western cone. The of the summit. since there is little evidence of morphologically youthful as a composite cone. largest eruption of Lascar took place about 26,500 years ago, Volcán . 23.58°S 67.70°W Volcán Miñiques. 23.82°S 67.77°W

Volcán Chiliques is a structurally simple stratovolcano lo- Older lava flows reach up to 10 km from the summit on upper flanks. The solitary Holocene maar is cated immediately south of Laguna Lejía. The 5.778-m-high the north flank. This volcano had previously been consid- located on the lower NE flank of Chiliques volcano, west of summit contains a 500-m-wide crater. ered to be dormant; however, in 2002 a NASA nighttime the Salar de Aguas Calientes. Volcán Miñiques is a large basaltic-andesite to dacitic vol- Larger craters, partially filled by lava domes and flows, are 1995). A prominent lava flow extends NW-ward from the Several youthful lava flows, some of which are considered thermal satellite image from the Advanced Space- The 600-m-wide, 80-m-deep maar produced the canic complex east of the homonym lagoon and south of La- located west and NE of the summit. summit to the lower flanks, separating Laguna Miñiques to be of Holocene age (de Silva and Francis, 1991), descend borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (AS- least silicic youthful volcanic rocks found in this part of the guna Miscanti. The 5.910-m-high summit of the volcano is The stratovolcano and lava-dome complex has been ac- from Laguna Miscanti (inset image). its flanks. The largest of these extends 5 km to the NW. TER) showed low-level hot spots in the summit crater and central Andes. cut by three overlapping, E-W-trending craters. tive from the Pliocene to the Holocene (González-Ferrán, Cordón de Puntas Negras. 23.75ºS 67.53ºW

Two intersecting volcanic chains, the Cordón de Puntas The Cordón de Puntas Negras is situated along the south- craters and produced short lava flows. Negras and Cordón Chalviri, trend roughly SE from ern margin of the 35 x 70 km Pliocene caldera. A distinct maar-type vent is present, as well as a 13 sq km Chiliques volcano to Volcán Puntas Negras and SW from The pristine morphology of many of the volcanic features silicic lava flow and dome complex. there to Cerro Tuyajto, respectively. indicates a Holocene (de Silva and Francis, 1991) or historical A volcanic center immediately SE of Cerro Laguna Es- The chain of small cones, lava domes, lava flows, and (González-Ferrán, 1995) age. condida appears to be the youngest vent of the complex. covers an area of about 500 sq km and contains at least Small cones such as Cerros Cenizas, Aguas Calientes, La- 25 different vents. guna Escondida, and Chinchilla have well-preserved summit Volcán . 24.72°S 68.53°W Volcanes , . 33.40°S 69.80°W

The world’s highest historically active volcano, 6.739 m- into and diverges around the north and south sides These two extremely youthful-looking dacitic flows were high Llullaillaco (pronounce youyayaco), sits astride the Chile- of the older Cerro Rosado stratovolcano 17 km east of Llull- initially considered to be of Holocene age, but more recent Ar/ Argentina border. aillaco. Ar dating indicates that they are of late Pleistocene age (Rich- The summit is formed by a small, well-preserved cone that Construction of several lava domes and flows was associ- ards and Villeneuve, 2001). Tupungatito volcano (R), the northernmost historically Tupungatito consists of a group of 12 Holocene andesitic is breached to the NW. Lava flows from the northernmost was constructed on an older Pleistocene edifice. ated with growth of the modern cone. The two most promi- Two explosive eruptions and another that may have in- active volcano of the central Chilean Andes, is located along and craters and a pyroclastic cone at the NW vent have traveled down the NW flank breach. Tupungatito A major debris-avalanche deposit produced by collapse of nent flows contain distinct flow levees and ridges and extend cluded lava effusion were reported from Llullaillaco in the the Chile-Argentina border about 90 km east of and end of the 4-km-wide, Pleistocene dacitic Nevado Sin Nom- has produced frequent mild explosive eruptions during the the older volcano about 150,000 years ago extends eastward down the northern and southern flanks. 19th century. immediately SW of the Pleistocene Tupungato volcano. bre caldera, which is filled by at its southern end and 19th and 20th centuries. San José volcanic complex (historical). 33.78°S 69.90°W

El

La Engorda

Volcán San José lies along the Chile-Argentina border at San José is a 5.856-m-high stratovolcano of Pleistocene- the Holocene. An 8-km-long lava flow traveled to the SW the southern end of a volcano group that includes the Pleis- Holocene age with a broad, 2x0.5 km summit region con- from the 1-km-wide summit crater of Espíritu Santo volcano, tocene volcanoes of Marmolejo and Espíritu Santo. taining overlapping and nested craters, pyroclastic cones, and which overlaps the southern slope of Marmolejo. The glaciated 6.109-m-high Marmolejo stratovolcano is blocky lava flows. Mild phreatomagmatic eruptions were recorded from San truncated by a 4-km-wide caldera, breached to the NW, that Volcán la Engorda and Volcán Plantat, located SW of Mar- José in the 19th and 20th centuries. has been the source of a massive debris avalanche. molejo and NW of San Jose, have also been active during Plantat San José volcanic complex aerial, seen from the west Volcán . 34.16°S 69.83°W Volcán Tinguiririca (active). 34.81°S 70.35°W

Maipo (5.264 m ) is a conical stratovolcano that straddles and SW flank of the caldera, respectively. The post-caldera east flank of Maipo along a series on en échelon NE-trend- The massive Tinguiririca volcano (4.280 m ) is composed The latest activity produced a series of youthful small stra- ern flanks of the summit cones. A single historical eruption the Chile-Argentina border SE of Santiago that partially fills basaltic-andesite Maipo stratovolcano rises about 1.900 m ing fractures. of at least seven Holocene scoria cones west of the Chile- tovolcanoes and craters, of which the youngest appear to be from Tinguiririca was recorded in 1917. the 15x20 km Pleistocene Diamante caldera, which formed above the caldera floor and was constructed by strombolian- Lava flows from one of these cones blocked drainages Argentina border constructed along a NNE-SSW fissure Tinguiririca and Fray Carlos. about 0.45 million years ago during an eruption that produced vulcanian explosions. in 1826 inside the caldera, forming Lake Diamante on the over an eroded Pleistocene stratovolcano. Constant fumarolic activity occurs within and on the NW a 450 cu km ignimbrite. The Pleistocene cones of Volcán Don It has a youthful appearance, and ash fall deposits overlie eastern caldera floor. The complex was constructed during three eruptive cy- wall of the summit crater of Tinguiririca, and hot springs Casimiro and Cerro Listado were formed on the SW rim glacial ice. Several parasitic cones were constructed on the cles dating back to the middle Pleistocene. and fumaroles with sulfur deposits are found on the west- Peteroa volcanic complex (active). 35.24ºS 70.60ºW Volcán Planchón. 35.27ºS 70.58ºW

Planchón-Peteroa (3.977 m) is a 4-km-long complex vol- About 11.500 years ago, much of Azufre and part of small steaming crater lake. Historical eruptions from the cano along the Chile-Argentina border, that contains several Planchón collapsed, causing the massive Río Teno river de- Planchón-Peteroa complex have been dominantly explosive, overlapping . bris avalanche, which reached Chile’s central valley. although lava flows were erupted in 1837 and 1937. Activity began in the Pleistocene with construction of the Subsequently, Volcán Planchón II was formed. The young- In September, 2010 the group erupted on three different basaltic-andesite to dacitic Volcán Azufre, followed by for- est volcano, andesitic and basaltic-andesite Volcán Peteroa, occasions, while the latest – and more prolonged – activity mation of basaltic and basaltic-andesite Volcán Planchón, 4 consists of scattered vents between Azufre and Planchón. took place between Febuary and June 2011. km to the north. Peteroa has been active into historical time and contains a Peteroa volcanic complex aerial Volcán (historical) Cerro Azul, Quizapú (historical). 35.65°S 70.76°W 35.58°S 70.75°W

Volcán Descabezado (Beheaded) Grande is a late- of Cerro Azul – was the site of the only historical Pleistocene to Holocene andesitic-to-rhyodacitic strato- eruption of the volcano. volcano with a 1,4-km-wide ice-filled summit crater. The Holocene Alto de las Mulas fissure, on the The Cerro Azul stratovolcano is at the southern end of the during the first historical eruption at Cerro Azul, accompa- Along with Cerro Azul, 7 km to the south, 3.953-m- lower NW flank of Descabezado, produced young Descabezado Grande-Cerro Azul eruptive system. nied by the emission of voluminous dacitic lava flows that high Descabezado Grande lies at the center of a 20x30 rhyodacitic lava flows. Steep-sided, 3.788-m-high Cerro Azul has a 500-m-wide travelled both east into the Estero Barroso valley and west km , which also includes Descabezado Numerous small late-Pleistocene to Holocene vol- summit crater that is open to the north. into the Río Blanquillo valley. Chico. canic centers are located north of the volcano. The three basaltic-andesite La Resoloma Craters scoria Quizapú was, in 1932, the source of one of the world’s A lateral crater that formed on the upper NNE The northernmost of these, Lengua de Volcano vents are located below the west flank and the two Los Hor- largest explosive eruptions of the 20th century, which cre- flank in 1932, shortly after the massive 1932 eruption (or Mondaca) produced a very youthful rhyodacitic nitos scoria cones on the lower SW flank. Quizapú, a major ated a 600-700 m wide, 150-m-deep crater (inset image) and from nearby Quizapú volcano – on the north flank lava flow that dammed the Río Lentué river. vent on the northern flank of Cerro Azul, formed in 1846 ejected 9.5 cu km of dacitic . Nevado de Longaví (active). 35.90°S 70.85°W San Pedro-Pellado complex. 35.90°S 70.85°W

The conical, -clad Nevado de Longaví volcano (3.242 rocks. A small lava dome forms the 3242-m-high summit A young scoria cone rises above the glacier-filled summit The San Pedro-Pellado complex was constructed within San Pedro volcano itself is of Holocene age. No historical m) is a late-Pleistocene to Holocene andesitic stratovolcano of Longaví. No historical eruptions are known, although crater of the 3.621-m-high San Pedro stratovolcano, viewed the 6 x 12 km Río Colorado caldera, which formed during eruptions have been recorded from San Pedro-Pellado, but constructed over a of sedimentary and granitic fumarolic activity continues. here from the NW. an eruption about 0.5 million years ago. fumaroles are found SE of Pellado. Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex (active). 36.86°S 71.38°W

The compound volcano of Nevados de Chillán is one of along a NNW-SSE line within three nested Pleistocene The largest stratovolcano, 3.212-m-high – image right), which was the main active vent during the the two volcanoes and has been the most active vent since, the most active of the Central Andes of Chile. Three late- calderas, which produced ignimbrite sheets extending more (Volcán Nevado - image left), is located at the NW end of 17th-19th centuries, occupies the SE end. The new Volcán growing to exceed Volcán Viejo in altitude. Pleistocene to Holocene stratovolcanoes were constructed than 100 km into the Central Depression of Chile. the group, and 3089-m-high Volcán Viejo (Volcán Chillán Nuevo stratovolcano formed beginning in 1906 between Volcán (historical). 37.41°S 71.35°W Sierra Velluda. 37.47ºS 71.42ºW

The Antuco volcano (picture left), constructed to the NE Construction of the Antuco I volcano was followed by been active. Moderate explosive eruptions were recorded in of the Pleistocene Sierra Velluda (picture center-right) stra- edifice failure at the beginning of the Holocene. the 18th and 19th centuries from both summit and flank tovolcano, rises dramatically above the SW shore of Laguna The failure produced a large debris avalanche which traveled vents, and historical lava flows have traveled into the Río de la Laja. down the Río Laja to the west and left a large 5-km-wide Laja drainage. Antuco has a complicated history, beginning with the con- horseshoe-shaped caldera breached to the west. struction of the basaltic-to-andesitic Sierra Veluda and Cerro The steep-sided modern basaltic-to-andesitic cone of has Condor stratovolcanoes of Pliocene-Pleistocene age. grown 1.000 m since then; flank fissures and cones have also Volcán (active). 37.92°S 71.45°W Volcán (active). 38.69°S 71.73°W

Llaima, one of Chile’s largest and most active volcanoes, Following the end of an explosive stage about 7.200 years contains two historically active craters, one at the summit ago, construction of the present edifice began, characterized and the other, Pichillaima, to the SE. by strombolian, hawaiian, and infrequent subplinian erup- The late-Pleistocene to Holocene Callaqui stratovolcano Small craters 100-500 m in diameter are primarily found An was reported in 1751, there were The massive 3.125-m-high, dominantly basaltic-to-an- tions. has a profile of an overturned canoe due to its construction along a fissure extending down the SW flank. uncertain accounts of eruptions in 1864 and 1937, and a small desitic stratovolcano has a volume of 400 cu km. Frequent moderate explosive eruptions with occasional along an 11-km-long, SW-NE fissure above a 1.2-0.3 mil- Intense solfataric activity occurs at the southern part of phreatic ash emission was noted in 1980. A Holocene edifice built primarily of accumulated lava lava flows have been recorded since the 17th century. lion year old Pleistocene edifice. the summit; in 1966 and 1978, red glow was observed in flows was constructed over an 8-km-wide caldera that formed Llaima’s most recent mayor eruption took place in January Ice-capped, 3.164-m-high basaltic-andesite Calla-qui fumarolic areas (Moreno 1985, pers. comm.). about 13.200 years ago, following the eruption of the 24 cu 2008, melting down a large part of the summit glacier (main contains well-preserved volcanic cones and lava flows, which Periods of intense fumarolic activity have dominated at km Curacautín Ignimbrite. More than 40 scoria cones dot image, taken on 20-01-2008) producing (mud- and have traveled up to 14 km. Callaqui, and a number of historical eruptions are known. the volcano’s flanks. debris flows) on its NE and W-flanks. Volcán (active). 37.85ºS 71.17ºW Volcán Lanín. 39.63°S 71.50°W

Volcán Copahue (2.997 m) is a composite cone construct- WSW line of nine craters – contains a briny, acidic 300-m- caldera, about 7 km NE of the summit. Infrequent mild-to- ed along the Chile-Argentina border within the 8-km-wide wide crater lake (also referred to as del Agrio) and displays moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at Copahue Lanín is a large conical late-Pleistocene to Holocene stra- The beautifully symmetrical, 3.737-m-high Lanín rises strongly disputed, and that no historical eruptions are known. Trapa-Trapa caldera, which formed 0.6 million years ago near intense fumarolic activity. since the 18th century. tovolcano along the Chile-Argentina border. 2500 m above its base. A postglacial ring – Volcán Arenal – is located below the NW margin of the 20x15 km, Pliocene-Pleistocene del Acidic hot springs, located below the eastern outlet of the Twentieth-century eruptions from the crater lake have It lies at the eastern end of a NW-SE-trending volcanic A small lava dome at the summit fed blocky lava flows to the SW flank of Lanín in Argentina. Agrio caldera. crater lake contribute to the acidity of Río Agrio river, while ejected pyroclastic rocks and chilled liquid sulfur frag- group beginning with the volcano, that is trans- the north. Lanín was reported active after an in A younger lava flow from Lanín covers deposits of Volcán The eastern summit crater – part of a 2-km-long, ENE- another geothermal zone is located within the del Agrio ments. verse to the Andean chain. 1906, but Sapper (1917) stated that newspaper accounts are Arenal and extends south into Lago Paimún. Volcán Puntiagudo. 40.97°S 72.26°W Volcán (historical). 41.10°S 72.49°W

The symmetrical, glacier-clad Osorno volcano forms a Chilean Andes. The conical volcano contains two small dac- renowned landmark that towers over Todos los Santos and itic lava domes on the NW and SSE flanks. Llanquihué lakes. Flank scoria cones and fissure vents, primarily on the west Osorno is constructed over a roughly 250.000-year-old and SW sides, have produced lava flows that reached Lago The Puntiagudo-Cordón Cenizos volcanic chain lies be- An 18-km-long fissure system with more than 40 late- The only historical eruption appears to have occurred in eroded stratovolcano, la Picada, which features a, mostly Llanquihue (inset image). tween the lago Rupanco and lago Todos los Santos lakes in Pleistocene to Holocene basaltic scoria cones and small stra- 1850, when ash fall was reported from the Cordón Cenizos buried, 6-km-wide caldera. Historical eruptions at Osorno have originated from both the Chilean lake district. tovolcanoes extends to the NE. chain. La Picada underlies Osorno on the NE and has postglacial summit and flank vents and have produced basaltic and an- Volcán Puntiagudo is a late-Pleistocene andesitic stratovol- Lava flows from these centres descend to the NW and SE, maars and scoria cones. desitic lava flows that have entered both the Llanquihue and cano with a prominent 2.493-m-high sharp-peaked summit, in some cases reaching to the shores of both lakes, forming The 2.652-m-high dominantly basaltic to basaltic-andesite Todos los Santos lakes. which is the result of glacial dissection. irregular peninsulas. Osorno is one of the most active volcanoes of the southern volcanic group. 41.16°S 71.89°W Volcán (historical). 41.33°S 72.61°W

The massive, glacier clad, 3.478-m-high Tronador volcanic Activity dates back to the early Pleistocene, and the most cone (also known as Cerro Volcánico) overlies rocks of the Along with its neighbor Osorno, Calbuco is one of the as synonyms of Calbuco – are actually synonyms of nearby produced a 3 cu km debris avalanche that reached the lake. group features 6 prominent peaks and straddles the Chile- prominent part of the dominantly basaltic-to-andesitic complex Steffen volcano group SE of Tronador. most active volcanoes of the southern Chilean Andes. Osorno. (Moreno 1985, pers. comm.). One of the largest historical eruptions in southern Chile Argentina border east of the Lago de . is the prominent, glacier-covered Monte Tronador volcano, The well-preserved summit cone was the source of a single The isolated late-Pleistocene to Holocene andesitic vol- Calbuco is elongated in a SW-NE direction and capped took place from Calbuco in 1893-1894 and concluded with It owes its name, meaning “Thunderer” to the noise origi- which formed in three stages during the mid-Pleistocene. andesitic lava flow that postdates the last glacial cycle dating cano rises to 2.003 m, and lies south of the Lago Llanquihue by a 400-500 m wide summit crater. lava dome emplacement. nated by large ice shelves released from its hanging glaciers The only possible Holocene activity in the volcano group back to 70.000-14.000 years ago and has variously been in- lake in the Chilean lake district. The complex evolution of Calbuco included edifice col- Subsequent eruptions have enlarged the lava-dome com- or “ventisqueros” crashing into in the surrounding ravines. took place SSE of Monte Tronador, where the Fonck cinder ferred to be of latest Pleistocene or Holocene age. Guanahuca, Guenauca, Huanauca, and Huanaque – all listed lapse of an intermediate edifice during the late Pleistocene that plex in the summit crater. Big, Bad and Beautiful

Four major volcanoes dominate the landscape around the Conspicuously absent is the massive Monte Tronador vol- city of , in Chile’s tenth district. cano, which, from this angle, is hidden behind Calbuco. This image, taken from the Seno de Longaví sound, features three of them: Volcanes Osorno, Puntiagudo and Calbuco. Volcán . 41.75ºS 72.39ºW Volcanes Hornopirén, Hualiaque. 41.86ºS 72.43ºW

Yate volcano is a massive, late-Pleistocene, centers localized along a about 7.5 km long NW- glacially dissected basaltic-andesite stratovolcano trending fissure. with Holocene parasitic vents. The most recent activity originated from ba- One of these flank vents is labeled Volcán saltic-andesite pyroclastic cones on the NW and Volcán Hornopirén, located SSW of the Yate volcano, is volcano and overlie the graben floor. The volcano was said ond pyroclastic cone that was said to have travelled to the SW Yate on the Volcán Hornopirén 1:50.000 quad- western flanks. a morphologically youthful basaltic-andesite stratovolcano to have erupted in 1835, although no details are known. through a breach in the SW side of the depression are not rangle map. No historical eruptions are known from that is mostly forested. Hualiaque (also known as Apagado) is a symmetrical, prominent on satellite imagery. Little is known of the geologic history of this Volcán Yate, although the fresh morphology The 1.572-m-high volcano lies along a graben defined by sparsely vegetated, pyroclastic cone with a well-preserved 400 Hualiaque (the -rimmed brown cone, above) was isolated volcano, located NNE of Volcán Hor- of its satellitic cones suggests an historical age the major regional Liquiñe-Ofqui zone, north of the m wide summit crater, located 13 km west of Hornopirén. estimated to be of Holocene age by González-Ferrán (1995), nopirén, south of the Seno de Reloncaví sound. (González-Ferrán, 1995). Hornopirén strait and immediately south of Lago Cabrera. A 6-km-wide depression breached to the SW mentioned which is consistent with its youthful appearance. The elongated volcano contains six eruptive Prominent lava flows descend beyond the SW base of the by González-Ferrán (1995) and a small lava flow from a sec- Volcán Minchinmávida (historical). 42.79ºS 72.44ºW Volcán Chaitén (active). 42.82ºS 72.65ºW

Chaitén is a small, glacier-free caldera with a Holocene lava The caldera is breached on the SW side by a river that drains dome located 10 km NE of the town of Chaitén on the Gulf to the bay of Chaitén, and the high point on its southern rim of Corcovado and SE of the massive Michinvádiva volcano. reaches 1.122 m. A pyroclastic-surge and pumice layer that was considered to The first historical eruption of Chaitén volcano, in 2008, originate from the eruption that formed the elliptical 2.5x4 km produced major rhyolitic explosive activity and the growth The glacier-covered, basaltic-to-andesitic Volcán Minchin- An eruption from Minchinmávida was reported in 1742. wide summit caldera was dated at about 9.400 years ago. of a lava dome that fills much of the caldera (inset image). mávida (2.404 m), located west of Lago Reñihue, has a saddle- Darwin observed the volcano in activity in 1834 on his re- Previous to the 2008 eruption, a rhyolitic, 962-m-high The resulting ash column rose to almost 10 km high and, shaped summit with an elongated 3-km-wide caldera. nowned voyage that took him to the Galápagos Islands. lava dome occupied much of the caldera floor. blown by the reining winds, debris reached the The massive edifice is elongated in a NE-SW direction, The latest known eruption of Minchinmávida, from Obsidian cobbles from this dome, found in the Blanco – 800 km to the east – in a matter of days. and a youthful eruptive centre is located on the ENE side February to March 1835, produced a lava flow from a flank River, are the source of prehistorical artifacts from archaeo- Meanwhile, nearby towns, like Villa de Angostura (Ar) of the complex. crater and lahars that reached the coast at Punta Chana. logical sites along the Pacific coast as far as 400 km away. were buried under well over 30 cm of ash. Volcán Corcovado. 43.19ºS 72.79ºW Volcán . 43.48ºS 72.80ºW

Little-known Yanteles volcano in southern Chile is com- earthquake, the nature of activity is not clear. Sapper (1917) posed of five glacier-capped peaks along an 8-km-long NE- reported that previously unseen black areas were observed Little is known of this isolated volcano that was seen in A series of lakes flank the eastern side of the basaltic to Darwin observed activity from the Corcovado area in trending . near the crater after the 1835 quake. eruption by Darwin. The Corcovado stratovolcano, probably basaltic-andesite volcano. Eruptions in historical time were 1834, and an eruption was reported to have occurred in Historical time from this 2.042-m-high, andesitic volcan- González-Ferrán (1995) listed no historical eruptions from of late-Pleistocene age, is eroded by glaciers and surrounded considered likely from these postglacial volcanoes (Moreno November 1835. ic complex is uncertain. Although there were reports of an this Pleistocene-Holocene volcano. by Holocene cinder cones. 1985, pers. comm.). eruption from Yanteles at the time of the February 20, 1835