About Sotara
Sotara is a stratovolcano rising to 4,400 meters (14,436 feet) in Colombia's South America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Sotara is located in Colombia, within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 2.11° N, 76.59° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. Standing at 4,400 meters above sea level, Sotara 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 composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Sotara 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 Sotara, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Volcán Sotará, also known as Cerro Azafatudo, is an andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano about 25 km SSE of Popayán city in southern Colombia, SW of Puracé volcano. Three calderas, 4.5, 2.5, and 1 km in diameter, give the summit an irregular profile. No historical eruptions are known, though there is current fumarolic and hot spring activity.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Sotara.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Sotara
Is Sotara an active volcano?+
Sotara is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Sotara?+
Sotara has a summit elevation of 4,400 meters (14,436 feet) above sea level. At 4,400 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Sotara?+
Sotara 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 Sotara located?+
Sotara is located in Colombia, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 2.108° latitude, -76.592° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Sotara?+
Sotara 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.
