Lautaro
Stratovolcano in Chile
Key Facts
Elevation
3,542 m (11,621 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
-49.019°, -73.504°
Region
Austral Andean Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Dacite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Lautaro is the northernmost volcano of the Austral Volcanic Zone (AVZ) in the southernmost Chilean Andes, and is the closest volcano to the Chile Triple Junction plate boundary. Volcanoes of the AVZ originated from subduction of the Antarctic plate beneath the South American plate. The Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World synonyms for Lautaro (Cerro Pirámide, Chalten, and Chaltel) are actually synonyms of the dramatic Patagonian granitic peak of Cerro Fitz Roy (Moreno 1985, pers.
comm. ). Glacier-covered and rising above the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, this dominantly dacitic volcano has a crater just below its summit on the NW side and a 1-km-wide crater on the NE flank.
Ash deposits from eruptions were visible on aerial photos taken during several occasions during the 20th century, and older ash layers form prominent markers on outflow glaciers of the Patagonian icecap.
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 | 47 years ago | Recent | Recently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 358060
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The northern side of Lautaro volcano rises above a sea of clouds. A 300-km gap occurs between Cerro Hudson and Lautaro, the northernmost of five volcanoes comprising the australandean volcanic zone of the southernmost Chilean Andes. Glacier-covered, 3607-m-high Lautaro volcano, the highest Chilean volcano below 40 degrees south, has a crater just below its summit on the NW side, and a 1-km-wide crater is located on the NE flank.
Photo by José Naranjo, 2002 (Servico Nacional de Geologica y Mineria).
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.