Iliniza
Stratovolcano in Ecuador
Key Facts
Elevation
5,162 m (16,936 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
-0.662°, -78.716°
Region
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
The two glacier-covered peaks of Iliniza volcano are prominent landmarks west of the Interandean Valley. The smaller Iliniza Norte is a remnant of the main volcanic edifice located 1. 8 km NNW of the younger Iliniza Sur, an andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano surrounded by thick pyroclastic-flow deposits.
The edifice is mainly Pleistocene, though the Tishigcuchi (Rasuyacu) lava dome on the S flank was active during the Holocene. Iliniza itself, which is substantially eroded, may also have had relatively young eruptions (Hall, 1987, pers. comm.
). A lava dome forms the summit of Iliniza Sur, and two more lava domes are found on the southern and NE flanks of the complex.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
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 | Unknown | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 352041
- •Evidence: Evidence Credible
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The twin peaks of Illiniza volcano form prominent landmarks west of the Interandean Valley. Sharp-peaked, snow-covered Illiniza Sur (right) is the higher of the two peaks. It is seen here from the south with Illiniza Norte to its left. Illiniza is largely, if not entirely Pleistocene in age. However, Rasuyacu lava dome on the south flank was active during the Holocene. Recent work suggests that Illiniza itself, which is substantially eroded, may have had relatively young eruptions.
Photo by Lee Siebert, 1978 (Smithsonian Institution).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.