About Machin
Machin is a stratovolcano rising to 2,749 meters (9,019 feet) in Colombia's South America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1180 CE. The volcano has produced 7 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Machin is located in Colombia, within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 4.49° N, 75.39° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,749 meters above sea level, Machin rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Machin 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 Machin, 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 dacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
Eruption History Summary
Machin has 7 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 3800 BCE to 1180 CE. This eruption frequency indicates a moderately active volcanic system with periodic reawakenings.
Significance
With 7 recorded eruptions on file, Machin has enough documented activity to help scientists identify patterns in its eruptive behavior.
GVP Reference Summary
The small Cerro Machín stratovolcano lies at the southern end of the Ruiz-Tolima massif about 20 km WNW of the city of Ibagué. A 3-km-wide caldera is breached to the south and contains three forested dacitic lava domes. Voluminous pyroclastic flows traveled up to 40 km away during eruptions in the mid-to-late Holocene, perhaps associated with formation of the caldera. Late-Holocene eruptions produced dacitic block-and-ash flows that traveled through the breach in the caldera rim to the west and south. The latest known eruption of took place about 800 years ago.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
7 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1180 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 750 | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 650 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 2100 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 2240 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 2650 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 3800 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Machin
Is Machin an active volcano?+
Machin is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1180 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Machin last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Machin occurred in 1180 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Machin has 7 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Machin?+
Machin has a summit elevation of 2,749 meters (9,019 feet) above sea level. At 2,749 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Machin?+
Machin is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Machin located?+
Machin is located in Colombia, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 4.487° latitude, -75.389° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Machin?+
Machin 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.
