Tinguiririca

Stratovolcano in Chile

Last Eruption: 1917

Key Facts

Elevation

4,280 m (14,042 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-34.814°, -70.352°

Region

Southern Andean Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Tinguiririca is composed of at least seven Holocene scoria cones W of the Chile-Argentina border constructed along a NNE-SSW fissure over an eroded Pleistocene stratovolcano. The complex was constructed during three eruptive cycles dating back to the middle Pleistocene. The latest activity produced a series of youthful small stratovolcanoes and craters, of which the youngest appear to be Tinguiririca and Fray Carlos.

Constant fumarolic activity occurs within and on the NW wall of the summit crater. Hot springs and fumaroles with sulfur deposits are found on the W flanks of the summit cones. A single historical eruption was recorded in 1917.

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

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Silica Content

Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Eruption Observed

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	109 years ago	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in South America Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The South America Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 357030
•Evidence: Eruption Observed
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Tinguiririca is composed of at least seven Holocene scoria cones constructed along a N-S fissure over an eroded Pleistocene stratovolcano. The central part of the chain from Tinguiririca to Fray Carlos is seen in this view. Sulfur deposits are found on the western flanks of the summit cones. A single historical eruption from Tinguiririca was recorded in 1917.

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).