About Petacas
Petacas is a lava dome rising to 4,007 meters (13,147 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
Petacas is located in Colombia, within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 1.62° N, 76.84° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. Standing at 4,007 meters above sea level, Petacas 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 minor, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
Cerro de Las Petacas is a lava dome in the Departamento Cauca about 7 km NE of Animas and 18 km NE of Doña Juana volcanos. Though Von Wolff (1929) described many morphologically fresh cones nearby (Von Wolff, 1929), satellite imagery shows no distinct volcanic features. Little work has been done, so the age of the most recent eruption is not known; it is not listed as an active volcano by the Servicio Geologico Colombiano.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Petacas.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Petacas
Is Petacas an active volcano?+
Petacas is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Petacas?+
Petacas has a summit elevation of 4,007 meters (13,147 feet) above sea level. At 4,007 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Petacas?+
Petacas is classified as a Lava dome. Lava dome volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Petacas located?+
Petacas is located in Colombia, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 1.621° latitude, -76.843° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Petacas?+
Petacas 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.
