About Ecuador
Ecuador is a shield rising to 790 meters (2,592 feet) in Ecuador's Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1150 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Ecuador is located in Ecuador, within the Galapagos Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.02° S, 91.55° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 790 meters above sea level, Ecuador is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Ecuador is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Ecuador in Ecuador generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, 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
Ecuador has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1150 CE to 1150 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
Volcán Ecuador straddles the equator at the NW end of Isabela Island. The western side of the volcano, the smallest of the six large shield volcanoes on the island, is broadly breached by edifice collapse, and youthful lava flows cover much of the caldera floor. Two large pyroclastic cones were constructed along the coast, and several chains of spatter cones and small scoria cones cross the caldera floor, which has a prominent bench on its southern side. A single dark-colored aa lava flow covers about half of the caldera floor. A number of young lava flows reach the coast to form Cape Berkeley, W of a large youthful-looking tuff cone. Extending from the outer eastern flanks of the main edifice is a line of NE-trending fissure-fed vents that connect Volcán Ecuador (also known as Cape Berkeley volcano) with Volcán Wolf. The only Isabela Island volcano without historical eruptions, the youthful morphology of its most recent lava flows nevertheless resembles those of very recent flows on other Isabela Island volcanoes.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1150 | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecuador
Is Ecuador an active volcano?+
Ecuador is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1150 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Ecuador last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Ecuador occurred in 1150 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Ecuador has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Ecuador?+
Ecuador has a summit elevation of 790 meters (2,592 feet) above sea level. At 790 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Ecuador?+
Ecuador is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Ecuador located?+
Ecuador is located in Ecuador, in the Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Galapagos Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -0.020° latitude, -91.546° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ecuador?+
Ecuador 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.
