Soche
Stratovolcano in Ecuador
Key Facts
Elevation
3,955 m (12,976 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
0.552°, -77.580°
Region
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Dacite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Volcán el Soche, a small stratovolcano near the Colombia border, is the northernmost of a chain of Ecuadorian volcanoes east of the principal volcanic axis. This dominantly dacitic volcano was constructed over Paleozoic rocks and has a summit caldera open to the E. A major explosive eruption took place during the early Holocene at about 8600 years BP, depositing tephra NW into Colombia.
The ejection of voluminous dacitic airfall pumice and pyroclastic flows was followed by the formation of two lava domes in the caldera.
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 | 8676 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 352001
- •Evidence: Eruption Dated
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Volcán el Soche is a small volcano near the Ecuador-Colombia border and is seen in the center of this December 2017 Planet Labs satellite image monthly mosaic (N is at the top; this image is approximately 9.5 km across). Soche is the northernmost of a chain of Ecuadorian volcanoes east of the principal volcanic axis and was the source of a major explosive eruption during the early Holocene.
Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2018 (https://www.planet.com/).
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.