Azufral

Stratovolcano in Colombia

Last Eruption: -930

Key Facts

Elevation

4,070 m (13,353 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

1.080°, -77.680°

Region

Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Dacite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Azufral stratovolcano in southern Colombia, also known as Azufral de Túquerres, is truncated by a 2. 5 x 3 km caldera containing a Holocene rhyodacitic lava-dome complex. A crescent-shaped lake, Laguna Verde, occupies the NW side of the caldera.

Nearly a dozen lava domes are present, the latest of which were formed about 3600 years ago and have active fumaroles. Azufral rocks are more silicic than those of nearby Colombian volcanoes; an apron of rhyodacitic pyroclastic-flow deposits rings the volcano. The last known eruption took place about 1000 years ago.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Dacite

Silica Content

Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Eruption Dated

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	2956 years ago	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The South America Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 351090
•Evidence: Eruption Dated
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Azufral stratovolcano in southern Colombia, seen here from the SE, is also known as Azufral de Túquerres. It is truncated by a 2.5 x 3 km caldera containing a Holocene lava dome complex. A crescent-shaped lake, Laguna Verde, occupies the NW side of the caldera. Nearly a dozen lava domes are present, the latest of which were formed about 3600 years ago and have active fumaroles. The last known eruption of Azufral volcano took place about 1000 years ago.

Photo by Norm Banks, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).