About Chacana
Chacana is a caldera rising to 4,643 meters (15,234 feet) in Ecuador's South America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1773 CE. The volcano has produced 5 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Chacana is located in Ecuador, within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc of the broader South America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.38° S, 78.25° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. Standing at 4,643 meters above sea level, Chacana 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 caldera, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Chacana 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 Ecuador near Chacana, 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 rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock associated with highly viscous magma. Rhyolitic eruptions can be extremely explosive and are responsible for some of the largest volcanic events in Earth's history, including supervolcanic caldera-forming eruptions. The high silica content traps dissolved gases, building enormous pressure that can lead to catastrophic explosive releases.
Eruption History Summary
Chacana has 5 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 8050 BCE to 1773 CE. This eruption frequency indicates a moderately active volcanic system with periodic reawakenings.
Significance
With 5 recorded eruptions on file, Chacana has enough documented activity to help scientists identify patterns in its eruptive behavior.
GVP Reference Summary
Chacana is a massive, eroded caldera complex of Pliocene-Holocene age that forms one of the largest rhyolitic centers of the northern Andes. The caldera is 32 km long in the N-S direction and 18-24 km wide E-W. It was constructed during three cycles of andesitic-to-rhyolitic volcanism, with major eruptions about 240,000, 180,00, and 160,000 years ago. Dacitic lava flows were erupted from caldera-floor fissures between about 30,000 and 21,000 years ago. Numerous lava domes were constructed within the caldera, which has been the source of frequent explosive eruptions throughout the Holocene as well as historical lava flows during the 18th century. The massive Antisana stratovolcano was constructed immediately to the SE.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
5 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1773 | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | South part of caldera |
| 1760 | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | SW flank |
| 50 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 1580 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 8050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Chacana
Is Chacana an active volcano?+
Chacana is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1773 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Chacana last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Chacana occurred in 1773 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Chacana has 5 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Chacana?+
Chacana has a summit elevation of 4,643 meters (15,234 feet) above sea level. At 4,643 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Chacana?+
Chacana is classified as a Caldera. Calderas are large volcanic depressions formed when a volcano erupts so powerfully that its magma chamber collapses, creating a basin that can be kilometers wide. They are often sites of some of Earth's largest eruptions.
Where is Chacana located?+
Chacana is located in Ecuador, in the South America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Andean Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -0.375° latitude, -78.250° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Chacana?+
Chacana can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Ecuador may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
