Calbuco
Southern Chile's Sleeping Giant That Woke Without Warning
Elevation
1,974 m
Last Eruption
2015
Type
Stratovolcano
Country
Chile
Location
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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition
Tectonic Setting
Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.
Age & Formation
Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown
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 | 11 years ago | Recent | Recently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database
Current Status
Watch
Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.
Authority Sources
Other Volcanoes in Chile
- Cerro Azul
Stratovolcano
- Chaitén
Caldera
- Nevados de Chillán
Stratovolcano (compound)
- Cerro Hudson
Stratovolcano with ice-filled caldera
Interesting Facts
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Calbuco's April 2015 eruption occurred with virtually no precursory warning — only hours of mild seismicity preceded the violent VEI 4 event.
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Photographs of the 2015 eruption cloud with volcanic lightning over Lake Llanquihue became some of the most widely shared volcanic images in history.
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The eruption column from April 2015 reached approximately 15 km into the atmosphere.
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Two eruptions in the early Holocene (~8460 and ~6760 BCE) reached VEI 5, an order of magnitude larger than 2015.
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A late Pleistocene collapse produced a 3 km³ debris avalanche reaching Lake Llanquihue.
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Approximately 4,000-6,500 people were evacuated within hours of the 2015 eruption.
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The 1893-1894 eruption was one of the largest historical eruptions in southern Chile.
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Puerto Montt (population ~250,000) lies just 30 km from the summit.
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The 2015 eruption prompted international discussion about limits of eruption forecasting.
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Magma mixing — injection of hot mafic magma into a cooler reservoir — is the suspected trigger for the 2015 event.
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Calbuco and Osorno together form one of Chile's most iconic volcanic landscape pairs.
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The name likely derives from Mapudungun kallfuko, meaning 'blue waters.'
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Calbuco last erupt?
Calbuco last erupted on April 22-30, 2015, in a sudden and violent VEI 4 event. Two major explosive pulses occurred on the evening of April 22 and early morning of April 23, producing eruption columns reaching approximately 15 km altitude, pyroclastic flows on multiple flanks, and heavy ashfall across the Chilean Lake District and into Argentina. The eruption occurred with virtually no precursory warning, making it one of the most surprising major eruptions in recent South American history. Prior to 2015, Calbuco's last eruption was a minor VEI 2 event in 1972.
Why did the 2015 Calbuco eruption happen without warning?
The 2015 eruption occurred with minimal precursory signals because the trigger mechanism was rapid magma injection from depth rather than gradual pressurization of a shallow reservoir. Post-eruption research revealed evidence of magma mixing: hotter magma from deeper in the system was injected into a cooler shallow reservoir, causing rapid destabilization. This process happened too quickly for conventional monitoring to detect classic warning signs. The event highlighted the challenge of forecasting eruptions at andesitic volcanoes where deep triggers can bypass shallow warning systems.
Is Calbuco dangerous?
Yes, Calbuco is considered one of Chile's most hazardous volcanoes. The 2015 eruption demonstrated its ability to produce violent VEI 4 eruptions with virtually no warning. The hazard profile includes explosive eruption columns, pyroclastic flows, lahars, and heavy ashfall. Approximately 400,000 people live within 100 km, including Puerto Montt (population ~250,000) just 30 km south. The geological record shows Calbuco has produced VEI 5 eruptions in the past, indicating potential for events larger than 2015. SERNAGEOMIN maintains continuous monitoring and evacuation plans.
How tall is Calbuco?
Calbuco stands at 1,974 m (6,476 ft) above sea level. While modest compared to some Andean volcanoes, its summit rises prominently above the low-lying Chilean Lake District terrain, making it conspicuous from Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, and Lake Llanquihue. The summit is capped by a 400-500 m wide crater hosting a lava dome complex enlarged by successive eruptions. Neighboring Osorno reaches 2,652 m and Villarrica stands at 2,847 m.
What type of volcano is Calbuco?
Calbuco is classified as a stratovolcano (composite volcano), built from alternating layers of andesitic lava flows and explosive tephra deposits. The dominant rock type is andesite to basaltic andesite, which produces eruptions ranging from moderate lava effusion to violent explosive events. The summit hosts a lava dome complex, indicating that some eruptions produce viscous magma that piles up at the vent. The volcano's elongated SW-NE profile reflects structural control by regional faults. A late Pleistocene edifice collapse and debris avalanche demonstrate the volcano's capacity for catastrophic sector failure.
Can you see Calbuco from Puerto Varas?
Yes, Calbuco is clearly visible from Puerto Varas, a popular tourist town on the western shore of Lake Llanquihue, approximately 20 km from the volcano's summit. On clear days, Calbuco and neighboring Osorno volcano are both visible from the lakefront, creating one of Chile's most iconic volcanic landscape views. During the 2015 eruption, residents of Puerto Varas had a dramatic front-row view of the eruption column and volcanic lightning. The town received measurable ashfall during the eruption.
How does Calbuco compare to the 2011 Cordon Caulle eruption?
Calbuco's 2015 eruption (VEI 4) and the 2011 Puyehue-Cordon Caulle eruption (VEI 5) are the two largest volcanic events in Chile in the 21st century. The 2011 eruption was larger in scale, producing more voluminous ash deposits and disrupting international aviation for weeks, including flights across the Southern Hemisphere. However, Calbuco's eruption was more sudden, with virtually no precursory warning compared to the days of seismic unrest before Cordon Caulle. Both eruptions demonstrated the significant volcanic hazard across the southern Chilean Andes.
Will Calbuco erupt again?
Calbuco is considered very likely to erupt again, though the timing cannot be predicted. The volcano has produced 36 recorded eruptions over approximately 10,000 years of Holocene history, with historical eruptions in 1893, 1906-1945 (multiple events), 1961, 1972, and 2015. The 2015 event demonstrated that Calbuco can transition from apparent quiescence to full-scale eruption in hours. SERNAGEOMIN maintains continuous monitoring, and evacuation plans are in place for surrounding communities. The geological record shows the volcano is capable of eruptions even larger than 2015.