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Sabancaya

Stratovolcano · Peru · 5960m

The Sabancaya volcanic complex consists of Sabancaya volcano proper (foreground), the older 6288-m-high Ampato volcano (background), and 6025-m Hualca Hualca volcano. Sabancaya, viewed here from the NE, is constructed on the saddle between the two older volcanoes. It is the youngest of the three Holocene volcanic centers and the only one to have erupted in historical time. An extensive 15-km-wide apron of trachytic and dacitic lava flows surrounds the 5967-m-high volcano. Records of historical eruptions date back to 1750.
The Sabancaya volcanic complex consists of Sabancaya volcano proper (foreground), the older 6288-m-high Ampato volcano (background), and 6025-m Hualca Hualca volcano. Sabancaya, viewed here from the NE, is constructed on the saddle between the two older volcanoes. It is the youngest of the three Holocene volcanic centers and the only one to have erupted in historical time. An extensive 15-km-wide apron of trachytic and dacitic lava flows surrounds the 5967-m-high volcano. Records of historical eruptions date back to 1750. · Photo: Photo by Norm Banks, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey). · Wikimedia Commons
Type
Stratovolcano
Country
Peru
Region
South America Volcanic Regions / Central Andean Volcanic Arc
Elevation
5960m
Coordinates
-15.787, -71.857
Last eruption
2026
Tectonic setting
Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km)
Landform
Composite
Major rock type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Geological summary

Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three, Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language) first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of observed eruptions date back to 1750 CE.

From Wikipedia

Sabancaya is an active stratovolcano in the Andes of southern Peru, about 70 kilometres (43 mi) northwest of Arequipa. It is considered part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes, one of the three distinct volcanic belts of the Andes. The Central Volcanic Zone includes a number of volcanoes, some of which, like Huaynaputina, have had large eruptions, and others, such as Sabancaya and Ubinas, have been active in historical time. Sabancaya forms a volcanic complex together with Hualca Hualca to the north and Ampato to the south and has erupted andesite and dacite. It is covered by a small ice cap, which leads to a risk of lahars during eruptions.

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Eruption history

Summary (VEI over time)
Click a bar to see individual eruptions
6600 BCE~6312 BCE · 1 eruptions · max VEI ?3725 BCE~3437 BCE · 1 eruptions · max VEI 01163~1450 · 1 eruptions · max VEI ?1738~2025 · 12 eruptions · max VEI 36600 BCE4587 BCE2287 BCE275 BCE1738

Detailed timeline

  1. 2025VEI ?Observed
    2025-09-13 – 2026-03-25
  2. 2016VEI 3Observed
    2016-11-06 – 2025-04-06
    Sabancaya crater
  3. 2015VEI 1Observed
    2015-03-08 – 2015-12-12
    Summit crater
  4. 2014VEI 1Observed
    2014-08-05 – 2014-12-27
  5. 2003VEI 2Observed
    2003-07-30 – 2003-07-31
  6. 2000VEI 2Observed
    2000-04-16 – 2000-10-29
  7. 1990VEI 3Observed
    1990-05-28 – 1998-09-16
  8. 1988VEI 1Observed
    1988-06-22 – 1988-10-16
  9. 1987VEI 2Geological estimate
    1987-08-07 – Ongoing
  10. 1986VEI 1Observed
    1986-12-16 – Ongoing
  11. 1784VEI ?Observed
    1784-07 – Ongoing
  12. 1750VEI ?Observed
    1750 – Ongoing
  13. 1350 (±150 yrs)VEI ?Geological estimate
    1350 – Ongoing
  14. 3490 BCE (±40 yrs)VEI 0Geological estimate
    BCE 3490 – Ongoing
  15. 6600 BCEVEI ?Geological estimate
    BCE 6600 – Ongoing

External links

⚠ For reference only. Not for emergency response.