Pululahua
Caldera in Ecuador
Key Facts
Elevation
3,360 m (11,024 ft)
Type
Caldera
Location
0.046°, -78.490°
Region
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Dacite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Pululahua is a relatively low, forested volcano about 15 km N of Quito. The 5-km-wide summit caldera is narrowly breached to the west and partially filled by a group of dacitic lava domes. Pre-caldera lava domes of different ages are found outside the caldera to the E, SE, and S.
Four post-caldera domes rise up to 450 m above the caldera floor. Large explosive eruptions producing pyroclastic flows took place during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. Caldera formation took place during a series of eruptions lasting 150-200 years beginning about 2,650 radiocarbon years ago.
The latest dated eruption occurred from the post-caldera lava domes about 1,670 years ago and produced lava flows and pyroclastic flows.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows and surges
- Large explosive eruptions (VEI 4+)
- Ash fall and tephra deposits
- Lahars and debris flows
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 | 1736 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 352011
- •Evidence: Eruption Dated
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Pululahua is a relatively low-profile, forested volcano immediately north of the equator, 27 km N of Quito. Loma Pondona (left) and the lower Rumiloma (right center) are two of a group of lava domes that partially fill a 3-km-wide caldera. They are seen here from the SE caldera rim. The caldera was formed during the latest dated eruption about 2,400 years ago. Large explosive eruptions were accompanied by pyroclastic flows during the late Pleistocene and Holocene.
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.