About Santa Isabel
Santa Isabel is a shield rising to 4,944 meters (16,221 feet) in Colombia's South America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption dates to 850 BCE, in prehistoric times. The volcano has produced 4 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Santa Isabel is located in Colombia, within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 4.82° N, 75.36° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. Standing at 4,944 meters above sea level, Santa Isabel towers above the alpine zone, where vegetation gives way to bare rock, snow, and ice for much of the year. The high elevation means the upper slopes experience significantly colder temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Santa Isabel sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Colombia near Santa Isabel, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Santa Isabel has 4 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 5500 BCE to 850 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 4,650 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
Santa Isabel is a small andesitic shield volcano that is dwarfed by its neighbors to the NE (Nevado del Ruiz) and SE (Tolima). Three lava domes occupy the elongated, N-S-trending glaciated summit region, which has two main peaks. Holocene lava flows fill valleys to the SW and SE. A small Holocene lava dome was emplaced at the center of a circular depression about 10 km SW. No historical eruptions are known.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
4 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 850 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 3550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 4800 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 5500 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Isabel
Is Santa Isabel an active volcano?+
Santa Isabel is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 850 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Santa Isabel last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Santa Isabel occurred in 850 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Santa Isabel has 4 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Santa Isabel?+
Santa Isabel has a summit elevation of 4,944 meters (16,221 feet) above sea level. At 4,944 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Santa Isabel?+
Santa Isabel is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Santa Isabel located?+
Santa Isabel is located in Colombia, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 4.818° latitude, -75.365° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Santa Isabel?+
Santa Isabel can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Colombia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
