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Aracar

Stratovolcano · Argentina · 6095m

Aracar volcano in Argentina has a 1.5-km-wide summit crater in the center of this May 2019 Planet Labs satellite image monthly mosaic (N is at the top; this image is approximately 22 km across). Lobate lava flows with pressure ridges are exposed along the lower southern flanks, and lava flows have been emplaced around topographic highs on the W, E, and S.
Aracar volcano in Argentina has a 1.5-km-wide summit crater in the center of this May 2019 Planet Labs satellite image monthly mosaic (N is at the top; this image is approximately 22 km across). Lobate lava flows with pressure ridges are exposed along the lower southern flanks, and lava flows have been emplaced around topographic highs on the W, E, and S. · Photo: Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2019 (https://www.planet.com/). · Wikimedia Commons
Type
Stratovolcano
Country
Argentina
Region
South America Volcanic Regions / Central Andean Volcanic Arc
Elevation
6095m
Coordinates
-24.290, -67.783
Last eruption
Unknown
Tectonic setting
Subduction zone / Continental crust (> 25 km)
Landform
Composite
Major rock type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Geological summary

Aracar is a steep-sided stratovolcano with a youthful-looking summit crater 1-1.5 km in diameter that contains a small lake. It is located just east of the Argentina-Chile border. The volcano was constructed during three eruptive cycles dating back to the Pliocene. The andesitic stratovolcano overlies dacitic lava domes. Lava flows found at the base of the volcano below 4500 m elevation are relatively well preserved, but upper-flank lavas, often an indication of youthful activity, are not present (de Silva, 2007 pers. comm.). There were reports of possible ash columns from the summit in 1993, but it is not known whether these were rockfall dust or eruption plumes.

From Wikipedia

Aracar is a large conical stratovolcano in northwestern Argentina, just east of the Chilean border. It has a main summit crater about 1–1.5 kilometres (0.6–0.9 mi) in diameter and sometimes contains crater lakes and a secondary crater. The volcano has formed, starting during the Pliocene, on top of a lava platform and an older basement. Constructed on a base with an altitude of 4,100 metres (13,500 ft), it covers a surface area of 192.4 square kilometres (74.3 sq mi) and has a volume of 148 cubic kilometres (36 cu mi). The only observed volcanic activity was a possible steam or ash plume on March 28, 1993, seen from the village of Tolar Grande about 50 km (31 mi) southeast of the volcano, but with no evidence of deformation of the volcano from satellite observations. Inca archeological sites are found on the volcano.

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Eruption history

Summary (VEI over time)
Click a bar to see individual eruptions
1993~1993 · 1 eruptions · max VEI 219931993199419941994

Detailed timeline

  1. 1993VEI 2Geological estimate
    1993-03-28 – Ongoing

External links

⚠ For reference only. Not for emergency response.